Disability Studies
A program that focuses on the nature, meaning, and consequences of what it is to be defined as disabled and explores the historical, cultural, economic, physiological, and socio-political dynamics of disability. Includes instruction in disability rights, legal issues, and public policy; literature, philosophy, and the arts; and/or research in the social sciences, education, and health sciences addressing social and experiential aspects of disability.
- Schools offering
- 13
- Annual completions
- 85
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $52k
About this major
A program that focuses on the nature, meaning, and consequences of what it is to be defined as disabled and explores the historical, cultural, economic, physiological, and socio-political dynamics of disability. Includes instruction in disability rights, legal issues, and public policy; literature, philosophy, and the arts; and/or research in the social sciences, education, and health sciences addressing social and experiential aspects of disability.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary | $84k | +2.4% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$52k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$35k
Bachelor's
$52k
Top colleges for Disability Studies
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center | New York, NY | 0 | 28 | 28 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | 0 | 28 | 28 |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey | Wayne, NJ | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Aurora University | Aurora, IL | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| University of Toledo | Toledo, OH | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gallaudet University | Washington, DC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly, IA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related majors to explore
Women's Studies
1,479 completions/yr
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other
686 completions/yr
African-American/Black Studies
563 completions/yr
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies
394 completions/yr
American Indian/Native American Studies
355 completions/yr
Ethnic Studies
297 completions/yr
Deaf Studies
254 completions/yr
Asian-American Studies
59 completions/yr