Ethnic & Cultural Studiesat University of Maryland-College Park
Graduates earn $34,777/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Ethnic & Cultural Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $574K; scenarios range from $511K to $590K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Maryland-College Park
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Maryland-College Park's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Ethnic & Cultural Studies
How University of Maryland-College Park stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Maryland-College Park
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Maryland-College Park, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Ethnic & Cultural Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Ethnic & Cultural Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Ethnic & Cultural Studies at University of Maryland-College Park
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.