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Ethnic & Cultural Studies at Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
29
Optimistic
27
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,926/yr (36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Small (8,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #60 of 92 Ethnic & Cultural Minority programs

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 $569K $557K $500K
Earnings Multiple 2.2x 2.2x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 41% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 27 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$257,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$100,032
61% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,668
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,926 per year, Ethnic & Cultural Studies graduates from Wellesley College significantly outpace the $32,228 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

An earnings multiple of 2.2x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 69% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #60 out of 92 programs, Wellesley College's financial outcomes for Ethnic & Cultural Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $43,926 to $60,668 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Wellesley College

With just 14% of applicants admitted, Wellesley College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a smaller institution with 2,318 students in Wellesley, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $100,032 — 61% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Wellesley College →

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

Compare this program → View all 92 schools offering Ethnic & Cultural Studies →

Ethnic & Cultural Studies at Other Schools

Columbia University in the City of New York ($55,206) Georgetown University ($51,388) California State University-East Bay ($47,511) American University ($46,206) University of Minnesota-Duluth ($41,926) University of Massachusetts-Boston ($41,872) Stanford University ($41,156) University of New Hampshire-Main Campus ($40,720)

Other Majors at Wellesley College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($100,644) Economics ($86,367) Political Science and Government ($50,214) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($44,687) Area Studies ($43,231) English Language and Literature, General ($38,376) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($37,724) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($36,776)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Ethnic & Cultural Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wellesley College's Ethnic & Cultural Studies program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Ethnic & Cultural Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Ethnic & Cultural Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Ethnic & Cultural Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Ethnic & Cultural Studies at Wellesley College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $257,280, but the average net cost is $100,032 — a 61% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →