Gender Studies Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of gender identity, expression, and inequality across cultures and history.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$55K
salary
ROI Payback
8 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5.5%
rate
Gender Studies Overview
Study of gender identity, expression, and inequality across cultures and history.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
60%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
45%
Lifetime Premium
$130K
Female Graduates
82%
Gender Studies Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$16,200
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$16,200
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$113,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($130,000) minus net degree cost ($16,200)
Gender Studies Salary Progression
Common Gender Studies Careers
Policy Analyst
Non-Profit Program Director
Diversity Officer
Social Worker
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Gender Studies
#1
Yale
#2
Columbia
#3
UCLA
#4
University of Michigan
#5
Brown
Related Majors
Gender Studies Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Gender Studies Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for gender studies programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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