Disability Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Disability Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the multifaceted experiences of individuals defined as disabled within society. It examines the social, cultural, political, and historical frameworks that shape perceptions, identities, and lived realities of disability, with a focus on equity, inclusion, and systemic transformation.
- Disability Rights and Advocacy: Explores the evolution and impact of movements that promote civil rights, accessibility, and autonomy for people with disabilities across global contexts.
- Legal and Public Policy Frameworks: Investigates legislation, regulatory systems, and policy initiatives that influence the rights, services, and inclusion of disabled individuals in education, employment, and healthcare.
- Philosophical and Ethical Inquiry: Engages with foundational theories on personhood, identity, and justice to critically assess how disability is conceptualized and valued in society.
- Cultural Representations in Literature and the Arts: Analyzes narratives, visual arts, and media to understand how disability is portrayed, constructed, and contested in cultural expression.
- Social Science Research Methods: Applies qualitative and quantitative approaches to study the social determinants, lived experiences, and structural barriers faced by disabled communities.
- Education and Inclusive Pedagogy: Addresses strategies for equitable teaching, curriculum design, and institutional practices that support diverse learners and challenge ableist norms.
- Health Sciences and Disability Experience: Integrates biomedical, psychological, and rehabilitative perspectives while centering the subjective experiences of health, well-being, and bodily autonomy.
Disability Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Disability Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Disability 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 |
Disability 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 Disability Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 28 institutions offering Disability 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 Disability Studies is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (176 graduates), CUNY Graduate School and University Center (97 graduates), University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (41 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (31 graduates), and University of Iowa (31 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 492 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
|
176 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
97 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
41 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Other Award
|
31 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Postbac Cert.
|
31 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
18 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
10 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Other Award
|
9 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Aurora University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Aurora, Illinois | Private | aurora.edu |
| National Louis University (NLU) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | nl.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Other Award
|
3 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | uscupstate.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Gallaudet University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gallaudet.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Genesee Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Batavia, New York | Public | genesee.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Minot State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Minot, North Dakota | Public | minotstateu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Disability Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Disability Studies degree?
Salaries for Disability 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 Disability Studies programs?
Currently 28 accredited institutions offer Disability Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (176 graduates), CUNY Graduate School and University Center (97 graduates), and University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (41 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 Disability Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 44 in 2010 to 492 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,018% 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 Disability 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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