Women's Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to exploring the experiences, contributions, and challenges faced by women across time and geography. It examines the social, political, economic, and cultural forces that shape gender roles, identities, and power structures, with a critical focus on the evolution of feminist thought and its global impact.
- Gender and Society: Analyzes how gender constructs influence social institutions, norms, and individual identities within diverse cultural contexts.
- Feminist Theory and Thought: Investigates foundational and contemporary frameworks of feminist philosophy, including intersectionality, postcolonial feminism, and queer theory.
- Women’s History: Traces the historical roles, achievements, and struggles of women in North America and around the world, from pre-modern eras to the present.
- Women in Politics and Policy: Explores the participation of women in governance, activism, and policy-making, with attention to equity, representation, and systemic change.
- Cultural Production and the Arts: Studies literature, film, visual arts, and performance as mediums through which women express identity, resistance, and creativity.
- Global and Transnational Perspectives: Compares women’s experiences across regions, highlighting how race, class, sexuality, and colonialism intersect with gender.
- Work, Labor, and Economics: Addresses the economic roles of women, wage disparities, labor movements, and the gendered division of paid and unpaid work.
Women's Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Women's Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Women's 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 |
Salary Comparison
Women's 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 Women's Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Women's 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 Women's Studies is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (184 graduates), Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) (61 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (47 graduates), University of Florida (UF) (45 graduates), and Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (39 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,891 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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
184 |
SAT: 1360-1510 ACT: 28-32 |
Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
|
61 | N/A | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Post-Master's
Other Award
|
47 |
SAT: 1270-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
45 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
39 |
SAT: 1100-1290 ACT: 22-28 |
Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
38 |
SAT: 1180-1398 ACT: 22-29 |
Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
30 | N/A | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
30 | N/A | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
26 |
SAT: 1200-1360 ACT: 27-31 |
Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
25 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
24 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Citrus College |
Associate's
|
23 | N/A | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
23 |
SAT: 1050-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
|
23 | SAT: 1210-1470 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | N/A | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
23 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | N/A | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
21 | N/A | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| San Jose City College (SJCC) |
Associate's
|
21 | N/A | San Jose, California | Public | sjcc.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 1350-1500 ACT: 31-34 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | N/A | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Sonoma State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | N/A | Rohnert Park, California | Public | sonoma.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (R)
|
20 |
SAT: 1370-1520 ACT: 32-35 |
College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
20 |
SAT: 1120-1320 ACT: 26-31 |
Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1230-1420 ACT: 28-33 |
Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Smith College |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1408-1540 ACT: 32-34 |
Northampton, Massachusetts | Private | smith.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
19 | N/A | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 22-30 |
Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | N/A | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| West Valley College (WVC) |
Associate's
|
18 | N/A | Saratoga, California | Public | westvalley.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
18 |
SAT: 1060-1250 ACT: 20-26 |
Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Grinnell College |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1418-1550 ACT: 31-34 |
Grinnell, Iowa | Private | grinnell.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
18 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 29-33 |
Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (R)
|
18 |
SAT: 1320-1490 ACT: 28-33 |
Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
18 |
SAT: 1260-1430 ACT: 28-32 |
Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1030-1270 ACT: 22-30 |
Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
18 | ACT: 18-24 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
17 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
|
17 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 20-27 |
Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
|
17 |
SAT: 1370-1530 ACT: 30-34 |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
17 | ACT: 21-27 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | N/A | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
16 |
SAT: 1210-1420 ACT: 29-33 |
Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
16 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Spelman College |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1060-1270 ACT: 21-27 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Private | spelman.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 1130-1340 ACT: 26-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 1390-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 34-36 |
Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 22-27 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1190-1460 ACT: 27-34 |
West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | N/A | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Associate's
|
15 | N/A | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
15 | N/A | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
15 | N/A | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1080-1290 ACT: 24-30 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Barnard College |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1453-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
New York, New York | Private | barnard.edu |
| Denison University (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1300-1470 ACT: 29-32 |
Granville, Ohio | Private | denison.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
15 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
15 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Associate's
|
14 | N/A | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Sierra College |
Associate's
|
14 | N/A | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 33-35 |
New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
14 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 |
SAT: 1010-1230 ACT: 22-27 |
Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 | ACT: 22-25 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
14 |
SAT: 1030-1270 ACT: 26-31 |
Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 1230-1490 ACT: 27-33 |
Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | N/A | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| Chabot College (CC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | N/A | Hayward, California | Public | chabotcollege.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
13 |
SAT: 1300-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1110-1350 ACT: 21-28 |
Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 1130-1320 ACT: 22-28 |
Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 1020-1250 ACT: 19-27 |
Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 27-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Wellesley College |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1440-1550 ACT: 33-35 |
Wellesley, Massachusetts | Private | wellesley.edu |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1210-1420 ACT: 29-33 |
Norton, Massachusetts | Private | wheatoncollege.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
12 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | SAT: 1100-1270 | Plattsburgh, New York | Public | plattsburgh.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
12 | N/A | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
12 | ACT: 18-24 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 24-31 |
Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Williams College |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 1470-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Williamstown, Massachusetts | Private | williams.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 1150-1360 ACT: 24-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 |
SAT: 1090-1270 ACT: 22-28 |
Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| California State University (CSUSM) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | N/A | San Marcos, California | Public | csusm.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
10 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | N/A | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) |
Associate's
|
10 | N/A | Sylmar, California | Public | lamission.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1440-1540 ACT: 33-35 |
Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1220-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1230-1390 ACT: 28-32 |
Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Associate's
|
9 | N/A | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | N/A | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
| Agnes Scott College |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1180-1350 ACT: 26-31 |
Decatur, Georgia | Private | agnesscott.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 25-30 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
9 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 22-27 |
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Gustavus Adolphus College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | ACT: 25-31 | Saint Peter, Minnesota | Private | gustavus.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 27-31 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Women's Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Women's Studies degree?
Salaries for Women's 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 Women's Studies programs?
Currently 331 accredited institutions offer Women's Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (184 graduates), Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) (61 graduates), and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (47 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 Women's Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,381 in 2010 to a peak of 2,807 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,746 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Women's 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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Explore similar degree programs within the Cultural Studies field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
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