Ethnic & Cultural Studies at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,777/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Small (8,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 92 Ethnic & Cultural Minority programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

While the career paths listed are common, your proximity to Washington, D.C. opens up a world of opportunity that drives these strong outcomes. UMD's reputation means you're not just studying theory; you're plugging into a powerful regional economy. Federal agencies, global NGOs, and major think tanks all need analysts who can decipher complex social dynamics, both at home and abroad. A background in cultural studies is surprisingly practical for roles in policy analysis, intelligence, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. The high AI risk score reflects the research and writing tasks common in this field, but your unique advantage is applying those skills within the complex, human-centric world of D.C. policy and advocacy. Your key to unlocking this potential is an internship; secure one on Capitol Hill or with a K Street firm to translate your academic knowledge into a direct career path.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Ethnic & Cultural Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $590K $574K $511K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.5x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.6x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 41% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,250
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,904
72% growth from Year 1

About University of Maryland-College Park

A 45% admission rate makes University of Maryland-College Park accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 30,246 in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

Top Career Paths

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary $84,290/yr
Interpreters and translators $59,440/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Ethnic & Cultural Studies at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Ethnic & Cultural Studies at University of Maryland-College Park?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Ethnic & Cultural Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Ethnic & Cultural Studies careers?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $511,167 in decade earnings vs $589,948 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Maryland-College Park's Ethnic & Cultural Studies program stand out?
Ranked #5 of 92 programs nationally, University of Maryland-College Park lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →