ProgramsMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies

    Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis

    CIP30.26

    31 colleges offer Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Colleges offering it
    31
    at its most common level
    Bachelor's earnings
    $37,350
    median, 4 years after
    Bachelor's debt
    $18,750
    median federal loans
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    Colleges offering it, by degree level

    Certificate
    6
    Associate's
    1
    Bachelor's
    31
    Master's
    13
    Post-baccalaureate certificate
    2
    Doctoral
    7
    Graduate/professional certificate
    10
    Published colleges reporting the program. College Scorecard field of study, 2025.

    What it covers

    About Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis

    An interdisciplinary program that focuses on the analysis and critique of culture in its varied forms, including values, ideas, belief systems, and expressive acts, and the relationship between cultural forms, everyday life, and structures of power. Includes instruction in anthropology, communications, history, literary studies, philosophy, political economy, and sociology, as well as recent theories and methodologies such as semiotics, deconstruction, postcolonial studies, gender theory, and ethnography.

    Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 30.26.

    By degree level

    Earnings and debt by degree level

    Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.

    Colleges offering Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis and median graduate earnings and debt at each degree level
    Degree levelCollegesMedian earningsMedian debt
    Certificate6Not reportedNot reported
    Associate's1Not reportedNot reported
    Bachelor's31$37,3504 yrs after · 1 college$18,7501 college
    Master's13Not reportedNot reported
    Post-baccalaureate certificate2Not reportedNot reported
    Doctoral7Not reportedNot reported
    Graduate/professional certificate10Not reportedNot reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.

    Bachelor's programs

    Where Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates earn the most

    Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.

    1. 1Northern Arizona University logo

      Northern Arizona University

      Flagstaff, AZ · Public · 16 graduates

      $37,350

      debt not reported

    Careers

    Careers this program leads to

    Occupations linked to Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.

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    Questions about Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis

    How many colleges offer Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis?

    Published colleges on CollegesRef report Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis at these degree levels: certificate (6 colleges), associate's (1 college), bachelor's (31 colleges), master's (13 colleges), post-baccalaureate certificate (2 colleges), doctoral (7 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (10 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).

    What do Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates earn?

    At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis earn $37,350 a year four years after finishing, across 1 college that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.

    Where do Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates earn the most?

    Northern Arizona University reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis: $37,350 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.