Medieval and Renaissance Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Medieval and Renaissance Studies offers an interdisciplinary exploration of two transformative eras in European and circum-Mediterranean history—spanning roughly from the 5th to the 17th century. This program examines the intellectual, cultural, political, and artistic developments of these periods through rigorous scholarly inquiry across multiple fields of the humanities and social sciences.
- Historical Analysis: Investigates the evolution of political systems, societal structures, religious institutions, and economic frameworks from late antiquity through early modernity.
- Archaeological Research: Applies material evidence from excavations and artifact studies to reconstruct daily life, urban development, and cultural practices of past societies.
- Art History: Explores visual culture through the study of painting, sculpture, architecture, and manuscript illumination within their historical and symbolic contexts.
- Musicology: Analyzes musical forms, compositions, performance practices, and theoretical developments from Gregorian chant to the rise of polyphony and early opera.
- Philosophy and Literature: Engages with major texts and intellectual movements, including scholasticism, humanism, and the emergence of vernacular literary traditions.
- Religious and Cultural Studies: Examines the role of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in shaping worldviews, power dynamics, and cross-cultural exchange across Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Medieval and Renaissance Studies degrees, including History 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 23,000 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1125 | $81,500 | $47,730 - $158,140 | 19,860 | N/A |
| Historians 19-3093 | $74,050 | $38,630 - $128,500 | 3,140 | $35.60 |
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $47,570 in Arkansas to $106,810 in New Hampshire—a 125% difference. The highest-paying states include New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 23,000 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 Medieval and Renaissance Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 37 institutions offering Medieval and Renaissance 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 Medieval and Renaissance Studies is found at CUNY Graduate School and University Center (14 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (13 graduates), University of Notre Dame (ND) (12 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (7 graduates), and Yale University (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 122 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Other Award
|
13 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
7 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Pomona College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Claremont, California | Private | pomona.edu |
| Fordham University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Delaware, Ohio | Private | owu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Smith College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Northampton, Massachusetts | Private | smith.edu |
| Wellesley College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Private | wellesley.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
|
3 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Master's
|
2 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Morris, Minnesota | Public | morris.umn.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| Rice University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Middletown, Connecticut | Private | wesleyan.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Master's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Other Award
|
1 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Barnard College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New York, New York | Private | barnard.edu |
| Vassar College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | vassar.edu |
| Duke University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Dickinson College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | Private | dickinson.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| The University of the South |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sewanee, Tennessee | Private | sewanee.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Other Award
|
1 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Medieval and Renaissance Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Medieval and Renaissance Studies degree?
Salaries for Medieval and Renaissance Studies graduates vary by role and location. History Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $81,500 annually, while Historians earn around $74,050. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Hampshire average $106,810 compared to $47,570 in Arkansas. Approximately 23,000 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 Medieval and Renaissance Studies programs?
Currently 37 accredited institutions offer Medieval and Renaissance Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include CUNY Graduate School and University Center (14 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (13 graduates), and University of Notre Dame (ND) (12 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 Medieval and Renaissance Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 155 in 2010 to 122 in 2023-24. This represents a 21% 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 Medieval and Renaissance Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as History Teachers, Postsecondary, Historians, . Related occupations employ approximately 23,000 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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