Italian Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Italian Studies offers a comprehensive academic exploration of Italy’s rich and complex development from antiquity to the present. Students engage with the nation’s historical evolution, social dynamics, political transformations, cultural expressions, and economic trajectories, while also examining the global impact of Italian diaspora communities.
- Italian History: Traces the political, military, and social milestones from ancient Rome through the Renaissance, unification, and into contemporary times.
- Italian Literature: Analyzes major literary works across centuries, from Dante and Petrarch to modern authors, emphasizing narrative form, language, and cultural context.
- Italian Language and Linguistics: Develops advanced proficiency in spoken and written Italian, alongside the study of regional dialects and linguistic evolution.
- Italian Cinema and Visual Culture: Investigates film movements, directors, and visual storytelling techniques that have shaped national and international artistic landscapes.
- Italian Politics and Society: Explores governmental systems, civic institutions, social structures, and contemporary challenges within modern Italy.
- Italian Economics and Trade: Examines economic development, industrial trends, labor markets, and Italy’s role in European and global commerce.
- Italian Diaspora Studies: Studies the historical patterns, motivations, and cultural impacts of Italian migration across Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
Italian Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Italian Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Italian Studies degrees, including Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
Italian Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,920 in Florida to $113,070 in California—a 83% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Vermont, and Kansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 11,430 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Italian Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 25 institutions offering Italian Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Italian Studies is found at Bucknell University (10 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (7 graduates), Loyola University Chicago (LUC) (6 graduates), Connecticut College (Conn) (4 graduates), and Wellesley College (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 71 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucknell University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Lewisburg, Pennsylvania | Private | bucknell.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Connecticut College (Conn) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | New London, Connecticut | Private | conncoll.edu |
| Wellesley College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Private | wellesley.edu |
| Dickinson College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | Private | dickinson.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Middletown, Connecticut | Private | wesleyan.edu |
| Bowdoin College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Brunswick, Maine | Private | bowdoin.edu |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Norton, Massachusetts | Private | wheatoncollege.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Master's
|
2 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Brown University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Claremont McKenna College (CMC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | cmc.edu |
| Scripps College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | scrippscollege.edu |
| Colorado College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | coloradocollege.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Franklin and Marshall College (F&M) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | fandm.edu |
| University of Richmond (UR) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | University of Richmond, Virginia | Private | richmond.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Italian Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Italian Studies degree?
Salaries for Italian Studies graduates vary by role and location. Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,290 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $113,070 compared to $61,920 in Florida. Approximately 11,430 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Italian Studies programs?
Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Italian Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Bucknell University (10 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (7 graduates), and Loyola University Chicago (LUC) (6 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Italian Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 83 in 2010 to a peak of 97 in 2020, before declining slightly to 71 in 2023-24. This represents a 14% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Italian Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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