Global Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Global Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the complex, interconnected challenges shaping our world today. It equips students with analytical tools to examine political, economic, cultural, and environmental dynamics across nations and regions, fostering a deeper comprehension of global systems and human interactions.
- International Relations: Explores the political interactions between states, including diplomacy, conflict resolution, and global governance structures.
- Cultural Anthropology: Investigates human cultures, traditions, and social practices across diverse geographic and historical contexts.
- Global Economics: Analyzes the flow of goods, capital, and labor across borders, with attention to trade policies, development disparities, and economic integration.
- Human Rights and Social Justice: Focuses on the protection of individual and collective rights, examining global inequalities and advocacy frameworks.
- Environmental Policy and Sustainability: Addresses transnational environmental challenges such as climate change, resource management, and ecological resilience.
- Development Studies: Studies the processes and policies related to economic growth, poverty reduction, and institutional development in low- and middle-income countries.
- Migration and Diaspora Studies: Examines patterns of human movement, refugee experiences, and the cultural and political impacts of diasporic communities.
Global Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Global Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Global Studies degrees, including Political Scientists and Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other. 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 23,490 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Scientists 19-3094 | $139,380 | $74,750 - $191,880 | 5,950 | $67.01 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other 25-1069 | $75,040 | $45,280 - $176,350 | 17,540 | N/A |
Global Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $46,790 in Kansas to $163,950 in Virginia—a 250% difference. The highest-paying states include Virginia, Hawaii, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 23,490 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 Global Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Global 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 Global Studies is found at University of California (UCSD), San Diego (413 graduates), American Public University System (APUS) (228 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (202 graduates), University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (144 graduates), and Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (129 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,848 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 California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
413 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
228 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
202 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
144 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
129 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
128 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
|
127 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
122 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
121 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
118 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
109 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
107 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
107 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
105 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
|
105 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
88 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
87 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
79 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
73 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
73 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
72 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
66 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
66 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
62 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Postbac Cert.
|
62 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
56 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
56 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
43 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Macalester College |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | macalester.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
|
42 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
36 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| DePaul University |
Other Award
|
36 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
35 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Spelman College |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | spelman.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| George Mason University |
Master's
|
30 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
28 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| The University of the South |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Sewanee, Tennessee | Private | sewanee.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
28 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Colby College |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Waterville, Maine | Private | colby.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| California State University Maritime Academy |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Vallejo, California | Public | csum.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
20 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
|
20 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| College of the Holy Cross |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | holycross.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Centre College |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Danville, Kentucky | Private | centre.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Gettysburg College |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | Private | gettysburg.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
17 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Elon University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Elon, North Carolina | Private | elon.edu |
| University of Richmond (UR) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | University of Richmond, Virginia | Private | richmond.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Bryn Mawr College |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania | Private | brynmawr.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | San Diego, California | Private | pointloma.edu |
| St Lawrence University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Canton, New York | Private | stlawu.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Other Award
|
15 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW Bothell) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Bothell, Washington | Public | uwb.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
14 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
|
14 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Master's
|
14 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| John Brown University (JBU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Siloam Springs, Arkansas | Private | jbu.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| Trinity College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Hartford, Connecticut | Private | trincoll.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Clark University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | clarku.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Global Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Global Studies degree?
Salaries for Global Studies graduates vary by role and location. Political Scientists earn a median of $139,380 annually, while Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other earn around $75,040. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Virginia average $163,950 compared to $46,790 in Kansas. Approximately 23,490 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 Global Studies programs?
Currently 324 accredited institutions offer Global Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCSD), San Diego (413 graduates), American Public University System (APUS) (228 graduates), and The University of Texas, Austin (202 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 Global Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 5,605 in 2010 to a peak of 7,875 in 2020, before declining slightly to 5,740 in 2023-24. This represents a 2% 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 Global Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Political Scientists, Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 23,490 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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