Latin American and Caribbean Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Latin American and Caribbean Studies offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of the diverse nations, communities, and historical trajectories across Latin America and the Caribbean. This program equips students with critical analytical tools to understand the region’s complex social dynamics, political systems, cultural expressions, and economic developments through a global and comparative lens.
- Historical Foundations: Examine pivotal events and long-term processes that have shaped national identities, colonial legacies, revolutions, and post-independence transformations across the region.
- Social Structures and Inequality: Investigate patterns of class, race, gender, and migration that influence social organization, access to resources, and lived experiences within Latin American and Caribbean societies.
- Political Systems and Governance: Analyze the evolution of state institutions, democratic transitions, authoritarian regimes, and contemporary challenges in governance and civic participation.
- Cultural Expressions and Identity: Study literature, visual arts, music, film, and religious practices as vital forms of cultural resistance, national expression, and transnational exchange.
- Economic Development and Global Integration: Explore trade policies, structural adjustment, resource extraction, informal economies, and the impact of globalization on regional development and inequality.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Latin American and Caribbean Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Latin American and Caribbean 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 |
Latin American and Caribbean 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 Latin American and Caribbean Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 22 institutions offering Latin American and Caribbean 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 Latin American and Caribbean Studies is found at University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (11 graduates), University at Albany (UAlbany) (8 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (8 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) (8 graduates), and University of Georgia (UGA) (7 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 88 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
8 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Gustavus Adolphus College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint Peter, Minnesota | Private | gustavus.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New Paltz, New York | Public | newpaltz.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Rollins College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | rollins.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Trinity University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | new.trinity.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Other Award
|
1 | Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Master's
|
1 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Union College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Schenectady, New York | Private | union.edu |
| Linfield University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | McMinnville, Oregon | Private | linfield.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Latin American and Caribbean Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Latin American and Caribbean Studies degree?
Salaries for Latin American and Caribbean 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 Latin American and Caribbean Studies programs?
Currently 22 accredited institutions offer Latin American and Caribbean Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Maryland (UMCP), College Park (11 graduates), University at Albany (UAlbany) (8 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (8 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 Latin American and Caribbean Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 113 in 2010 to a peak of 116 in 2020, before declining slightly to 88 in 2023-24. This represents a 22% 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 Latin American and Caribbean 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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