Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the root causes of conflict across global and community levels, and developing effective strategies for peaceful resolution and long-term prevention. This program equips students with analytical frameworks and practical tools to address violence, injustice, and division through evidence-based approaches rooted in social science, psychology, and ethics.
- Conflict Analysis: Examines the structural, historical, and psychological dimensions of disputes to identify triggers and escalation patterns in international and local settings.
- Peacebuilding Theory: Explores models for fostering sustainable peace through dialogue, reconciliation, and institutional reform in post-conflict environments.
- Nonviolent Action and Resistance: Studies strategies of civil resistance, advocacy, and peaceful protest as alternatives to armed conflict and coercion.
- International Relations and Diplomacy: Investigates the role of state and non-state actors in conflict mediation, treaty negotiation, and global governance mechanisms.
- Human Rights and Justice: Addresses the principles of equity, accountability, and legal frameworks that underpin fair conflict resolution and post-conflict recovery.
- Peace Research Methods: Trains students in qualitative and quantitative research techniques used to evaluate conflict dynamics, peace initiatives, and intervention outcomes.
- Psychology of Conflict: Analyzes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors that influence individual and group responses to disagreement and violence.
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution degrees, including Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, Postsecondary Teachers, All Other and Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators. 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 196,360 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other 19-3099 | $100,340 | $62,570 - $160,810 | 36,970 | $48.24 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 25-1199 | $78,490 | $39,720 - $172,850 | 151,530 | N/A |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators 23-1022 | $67,710 | $46,200 - $133,480 | 7,860 | $32.55 |
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $60,403 in North Dakota to $134,170 in Nebraska—a 122% difference. The highest-paying states include Nebraska, Hawaii, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 196,360 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 Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 82 institutions offering Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution 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 Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution is found at George Mason University (130 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (96 graduates), Georgetown University (GU) (54 graduates), Utah State University (USU) (47 graduates), and California State University (CSUDH), Dominguez Hills (38 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,003 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
130 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
|
96 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
54 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Other Award
|
47 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
38 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
36 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
35 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
29 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Salisbury University (SU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | Salisbury, Maryland | Public | salisbury.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
26 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | daytonabeach.erau.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
20 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Abilene Christian University (ACU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
19 | Abilene, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Master's
|
17 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
17 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Private | emu.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
16 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| Pace University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Villanova University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Master's
|
13 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Other Award
|
11 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
11 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Master's
Other Award
|
11 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU) |
Master's
|
10 | Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartfordinternational.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) |
Other Award
|
10 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Public | pfw.edu |
| Wellesley College |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Private | wellesley.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Master's
|
10 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| John Carroll University (JCU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | University Heights, Ohio | Private | jcu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Berea College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Berea, Kentucky | Private | berea.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UA Little Rock) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | ualr.edu |
| Regis University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Other Award
|
7 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Master's
|
6 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Earlham College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Richmond, Indiana | Private | earlham.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership (HJI) |
Master's
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | uts.edu |
| Gustavus Adolphus College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Peter, Minnesota | Private | gustavus.edu |
| George Fox University |
Other Award
|
4 | Newberg, Oregon | Private | georgefox.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Other Award
|
4 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| DePauw University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Greencastle, Indiana | Private | depauw.edu |
| Goucher College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | goucher.edu |
| Saint Anselm College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | anselm.edu |
| Arcadia University |
Master's
|
3 | Glenside, Pennsylvania | Private | arcadia.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
| Manchester University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | North Manchester, Indiana | Private | manchester.edu |
| Creighton University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Drew University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Madison, New Jersey | Private | drew.edu |
| Manhattan College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Riverdale, New York | Private | manhattan.edu |
| Guilford College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | guilford.edu |
| Juniata College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Huntingdon, Pennsylvania | Private | juniata.edu |
| Biola University |
Master's
|
1 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| North Park University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | northpark.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Hamline University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | hamline.edu |
| College of Saint Benedict (CSB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Joseph, Minnesota | Private | csbsju.edu |
| Saint Johns University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Collegeville, Minnesota | Private | csbsju.edu |
| The College of Saint Scholastica (CSS) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Duluth, Minnesota | Private | css.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Master's
|
1 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Bennington College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bennington, Vermont | Private | bennington.edu |
| SIT Graduate Institute (SIT) |
Master's
|
1 | Brattleboro, Vermont | Private | sit.edu |
| Drury University |
Other Award
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | drury.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution programs
How much can I earn with a Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution degree?
Salaries for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution graduates vary by role and location. Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other earn a median of $100,340 annually, while Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn around $78,490. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Nebraska average $134,170 compared to $60,403 in North Dakota. Approximately 196,360 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 Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution programs?
Currently 82 accredited institutions offer Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include George Mason University (130 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (96 graduates), and Georgetown University (GU) (54 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 Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,145 in 2010 to a peak of 1,222 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,003 in 2023-24. This represents a 12% 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 Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, and Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators. Related occupations employ approximately 196,360 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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