Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 5 college programs, at a typical net price.
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
What Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies pays
Career outlook for Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates
The job market for the occupations Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social scientists and related workers, all other | 40,800 | -1.7% | $100,340 | Bachelor's degree |
| Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary | 14,500 | +2.4% | $84,290 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies vs similar majors
How Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies stacks up against the closest fields in Interdisciplinary Studies on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Interdisciplinary Studies · this major | Human Computer Interaction | Systems Science and Theory | Mathematics and Computer Science | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 23 F | 84 A | 90 A | 92 A |
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $45,155 | $122,421 | $110,759 | $93,003 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $26,145 | $76,324 | $69,716 | $56,140 |
| ROI vs cost | -98% | +806% | +710% | +502% |
| Typical debt | $22,663 | $36,897 | $25,199 | $21,409 |
| Colleges offering it | 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID | Associate's | $52,794 | $18,622 | +114% | Strong return |
| 2 | Capella University Minneapolis, MN | Professional | $48,444 | — | -52% | Poor return |
| 3 | Macalester College Saint Paul, MN | Associate's | $47,198 | — | -66% | Poor return |
| 4 | Biola University La Mirada, CA | Associate's | $43,599 | $22,500 | -120% | Poor return |
| 5 | North Central University Minneapolis, MN | Associate's | $33,740 | $26,868 | -283% | Poor return |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.