Folklore Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Folklore Studies explores the dynamic ways people express creativity, identity, and shared meaning through traditions, stories, and cultural practices embedded in daily life. This interdisciplinary field examines how narratives, rituals, performances, and customs shape and reflect community values across diverse societies.
- Narrative Traditions: Investigates the structure, evolution, and cultural significance of oral and written stories, including myths, legends, and personal anecdotes, across generations and regions.
- Performing Arts and Rituals: Analyzes music, dance, theater, and ceremonial practices as forms of expressive culture that communicate social norms, historical memory, and spiritual beliefs.
- Material and Visual Culture: Studies handmade crafts, folk art, clothing, architecture, and symbolic objects as carriers of cultural meaning and communal identity.
- Work and Everyday Life: Explores how labor, occupational traditions, and domestic practices embody cultural values and contribute to collective storytelling and social cohesion.
- Family and Community Traditions: Examines kinship patterns, holidays, rites of passage, and local customs as vital sites of cultural transmission and identity formation.
- Contemporary Folklore and Digital Expression: Engages with modern forms of cultural expression, including internet memes, fan communities, and digital storytelling, as evolving manifestations of folklore in the digital age.
Folklore Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Folklore Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Folklore 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 |
Folklore 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 Folklore Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 9 institutions offering Folklore 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 Folklore Studies is found at Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (20 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (18 graduates), University of Oregon (UO) (9 graduates), South Mountain Community College (SMCC) (5 graduates), and University of California (UCB), Berkeley (5 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 64 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
18 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| South Mountain Community College (SMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
5 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | southmountaincc.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Master's
|
5 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Master's
|
3 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Middletown, Pennsylvania | Public | harrisburg.psu.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Master's
|
1 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Folklore Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Folklore Studies degree?
Salaries for Folklore 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 Folklore Studies programs?
Currently 9 accredited institutions offer Folklore Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (20 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (18 graduates), and University of Oregon (UO) (9 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 Folklore Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 23 in 2010 to 64 in 2023-24. This represents a 178% 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 Folklore 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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