Cultural Resource Management and Policy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program explore the dynamic intersection of heritage preservation, policy development, and strategic management to safeguard cultural resources across diverse landscapes. The curriculum prepares individuals to lead initiatives that balance historical integrity with modern development, ensuring sustainable stewardship of tangible and intangible cultural assets.
- Historical Preservation and Conservation: Focuses on techniques and ethical frameworks for maintaining the physical integrity of historic structures, artifacts, and sites through restoration, documentation, and preventive care.
- Public Policy Analysis: Develops skills in evaluating the effectiveness of laws, regulations, and institutional frameworks governing cultural resource protection and access.
- Business Management: Equips learners with operational strategies for managing cultural institutions, projects, and teams, including budgeting, staffing, and performance evaluation.
- Applied Economics: Examines economic models and cost-benefit assessments related to heritage projects, funding mechanisms, and the socioeconomic value of cultural assets.
- Public Relations and Outreach: Teaches methods for engaging communities, stakeholders, and the public through communication campaigns, education programs, and digital engagement.
- Applied History: Applies historical research and interpretation to real-world contexts, helping to inform decisions about cultural significance and narrative framing.
- Historical Archaeology: Integrates fieldwork and material culture analysis to uncover and interpret past human activity, particularly in contexts where written records are limited.
- Environmental Impact Studies: Assesses how development, climate change, and ecological factors affect cultural sites, ensuring preservation efforts are environmentally responsible.
Cultural Resource Management and Policy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Cultural Resource Management and Policy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cultural Resource Management and Policy degrees, including Managers, All Other, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary and Historians. 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 652,600 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
| Historians 19-3093 | $74,050 | $38,630 - $128,500 | 3,140 | $35.60 |
| Archivists 25-4011 | $61,570 | $39,330 - $104,780 | 7,050 | $29.60 |
Cultural Resource Management and Policy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,380 in Utah to $127,680 in Iowa—a 159% difference. The highest-paying states include Iowa, District of Columbia, and North Dakota. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 652,600 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 Cultural Resource Management and Policy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Cultural Resource Management and Policy 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 Cultural Resource Management and Policy is found at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (19 graduates), California State University (CSUSB), San Bernardino (6 graduates), Sonoma State University (SSU) (5 graduates), New Mexico State University (NMSU), Main Campus (5 graduates), and East Carolina University (ECU) (5 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 59 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
|
19 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Master's
|
6 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| Sonoma State University (SSU) |
Master's
|
5 | Rohnert Park, California | Public | sonoma.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Master's
|
4 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) |
Master's
|
3 | Las Vegas, New Mexico | Public | nmhu.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Master's
|
2 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Master's
|
2 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) |
Other Award
|
2 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Public | pfw.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Adams State University |
Master's
|
1 | Alamosa, Colorado | Public | adams.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHH) |
Master's
|
1 | Hilo, Hawaii | Public | hilo.hawaii.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Master's
|
1 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Brown University |
Master's
|
1 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Cultural Resource Management and Policy programs
How much can I earn with a Cultural Resource Management and Policy degree?
Salaries for Cultural Resource Management and Policy graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $84,290. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Iowa average $127,680 compared to $49,380 in Utah. Approximately 652,600 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 Cultural Resource Management and Policy programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Cultural Resource Management and Policy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (19 graduates), California State University (CSUSB), San Bernardino (6 graduates), and Sonoma State University (SSU) (5 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 Cultural Resource Management and Policy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 60 in 2010 to 59 in 2023-24. This represents a 2% 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 Cultural Resource Management and Policy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and Historians. Related occupations employ approximately 652,600 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.
Related Interdisciplinary Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Interdisciplinary field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
History and Political Science
A program with a general synthesis of history and political science or a specialization which draws from history and political science. Includes instruction...
Linguistics and Anthropology
A program that focuses on the study of the anthropological, historical, and sociological context of language with a particular emphasis on language use...
Linguistics and Computer Science
A program that focuses on the relationship between computer and human language and computational techniques applied to natural language. Includes instruction in computer...
Mathematical Economics
A program that focuses on the application of mathematical methods to the development of economic theory, models, and quantitative analysis. Includes instruction in...
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
A program that focuses on philosophical foundations, political institutions, collective behavior, economic theory, and economic influences. Includes instruction in econometrics, logic, metaphysics, moral...
Digital Humanities
A program that focuses on the use of new technologies, advanced computing, and public engagement to investigate and analyze questions in the humanities....