Asian American Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Asian American Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to examining the multifaceted experiences of Asian-descended communities in the United States and Canada. It explores the historical, social, political, cultural, and economic dimensions of migration, settlement, identity formation, and resilience across generations, from early colonial encounters to contemporary societal dynamics.
- Historical Foundations: Traces the origins and evolution of Asian American communities, including patterns of migration, settlement, and the impact of key legislative and judicial decisions such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and internment policies.
- Cultural Expressions: Investigates literature, art, music, film, and language as vital forms of identity, resistance, and community building within diverse Asian American populations.
- Social and Political Structures: Analyzes systems of power, racialization, and citizenship, including the role of activism, civil rights movements, and intersectional identities in shaping political engagement.
- Economic Integration and Labor Histories: Explores the economic contributions and challenges faced by Asian American communities, from early labor migration to contemporary workforce participation and entrepreneurship.
- Transnational and Diasporic Connections: Examines how identities are shaped by ongoing relationships with countries of origin, global migration networks, and the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers.
Asian American Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Asian American Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Asian American 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 |
Asian American 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 Asian American Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 20 institutions offering Asian American 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 Asian American Studies is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (58 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (25 graduates), San Francisco State University (SFSU) (13 graduates), California State University (CSUN), Northridge (11 graduates), and University of California (UCI), Irvine (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 172 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 Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
58 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Pomona College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Claremont, California | Private | pomona.edu |
| Scripps College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Claremont, California | Private | scrippscollege.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Pitzer College (PZ) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | pitzer.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Asian American Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Asian American Studies degree?
Salaries for Asian American 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 Asian American Studies programs?
Currently 20 accredited institutions offer Asian American Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (58 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (25 graduates), and San Francisco State University (SFSU) (13 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 Asian American Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 199 in 2010 to a peak of 180 in 2020, before declining slightly to 172 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 Asian American 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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