Demography and Population Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Demography and Population Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the size, structure, and distribution of human populations, and how these factors shape and are shaped by social, economic, and environmental dynamics. This program equips students with analytical tools to examine demographic trends and their implications for policy, sustainability, and societal development across global and local contexts.
- Population Growth: Analysis of factors influencing changes in population size over time, including birth, death, and migration rates, and their long-term implications for resource allocation and infrastructure.
- Spatial Distribution: Study of how populations are spread across geographic areas, including urbanization patterns, regional disparities, and the influence of physical and political landscapes.
- Mortality and Fertility Factors: Investigation into the causes and trends of death and reproduction, including health systems, socioeconomic conditions, and cultural norms affecting life expectancy and childbearing.
- Migration Dynamics: Exploration of internal and international movement of people, including push and pull factors, migration policy, and the social and economic impacts of population mobility.
- Dynamic Population Modeling: Application of advanced mathematical and computational techniques to simulate population change under various scenarios and assumptions.
- Population Estimation and Projection: Development of methods to assess current population characteristics and forecast future trends using historical data and statistical models.
- Statistical and Mathematical Analysis: Training in quantitative methods for interpreting demographic data, including regression analysis, survival analysis, and cohort-component modeling.
- Population Policy Studies: Examination of how governments and institutions design and evaluate policies related to family planning, aging populations, labor markets, and public health.
- Applications in Economics and Planning: Integration of demographic insights into economic forecasting, urban development, healthcare planning, and public policy formulation to support evidence-based decision-making.
Demography and Population Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Demography and Population Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Demography and Population Studies degrees, including Managers, All Other, Sociologists and Social Scientists and Related Workers, 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 683,280 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 |
| Sociologists 19-3041 | $101,690 | $60,710 - $168,590 | 2,950 | $48.89 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other 19-3099 | $100,340 | $62,570 - $160,810 | 36,970 | $48.24 |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1067 | $82,540 | $49,330 - $167,240 | 12,380 | N/A |
Demography and Population Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $78,310 in Tennessee to $130,970 in District of Columbia—a 67% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 683,280 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 Demography and Population Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 14 institutions offering Demography and Population 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 Demography and Population Studies is found at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (42 graduates), University of San Francisco (USF) (13 graduates), The University of Texas (UTSA), San Antonio (13 graduates), University of California (UCI), Irvine (11 graduates), and CUNY Graduate School and University Center (9 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 112 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
|
42 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
|
13 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
|
11 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Princeton University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR‑MSC) |
Master's
|
3 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | rcm.upr.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
2 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Master's
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Demography and Population Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Demography and Population Studies degree?
Salaries for Demography and Population Studies graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Sociologists earn around $101,690. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $130,970 compared to $78,310 in Tennessee. Approximately 683,280 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 Demography and Population Studies programs?
Currently 14 accredited institutions offer Demography and Population Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (42 graduates), University of San Francisco (USF) (13 graduates), and The University of Texas (UTSA), San Antonio (13 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 Demography and Population Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 37 in 2010 to 112 in 2023-24. This represents a 203% 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 Demography and Population Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Sociologists, and Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 683,280 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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