Best Online Bachelor’s of Gender Studies Degree Programs for 2025
Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in gender studies degree programs to equip students with a diverse set of skills and knowledge in fields like politics, literature, sociology, psychology, and history.
Featured Programs
Key Takeaways
- Gender studies mainly involves research on the role and the impact of gender in culture and society.
- Gender studies experts usually land careers in the social sciences, political sciences, and the media.
- Social justice, equality, and representation are some of the issues addressed by gender studies as a discipline.
Top Online Bachelor's in Gender Studies Degree Programs in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best online bachelor’s of gender studies degrees programs remained fairly stable. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was able to move up to the third ranking position as a result of the university expanded its Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, adding new interdisciplinary courses focused on the intersections of gender, race, and environmental justice, as well as Pacific Islander and Indigenous perspectives on gender issues.
UH Mānoa has also enhanced its research opportunities in gender studies, offering partnerships with local organizations that focus on LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and social justice initiatives. Additionally, the university has launched new community engagement programs that allow gender studies students to work on real-world projects addressing gender and social equity in the Pacific region. These developments provide gender studies students with enriched academic and practical experiences.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Gender Studies Degree Programs
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #2 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
62%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1170/23
Career Outlook for Gender Studies degree at University of Louisville
Cost of Degree: $12,828Expenses: $20,878Starting Salary: $29,182Salary after 4 years: $40,566Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA/BS in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
The University of Louisville’s online bachelor’s in women’s, gender and sexuality studies allows students to achieve their academic goals at a flexible pace while pursuing other passions. An online bachelor’s lets students broaden their academic and professional networks by allowing them to meet students from all over the world. The University of Louisville prides itself on offering a program that was ranked 5/5 for LGBTQ inclusivity, and strives to build engaging and informative programs to prepare students for the needs of the future.
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #6 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2025 #5 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
69%
Student body
72K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/23
Career Outlook for Gender Studies degree at Florida International University
Cost of Degree: $6,565Expenses: $19,406Starting Salary: $31,224Salary after 4 years: $43,404Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Women’s and Gender Studies
Florida International University’s Center for Women’s and Gender Studies is an innovative program that seeks to
enhance students’ knowledge about women, feminism and the significance of gender in diverse cultures and contexts.
The online BA in gender studies at FIU will prepare students for careers as lobbyists, activists, and policy makers. Learning 100% online can also aid students in developing transferable skills in time management, information organization, and project management while they study.- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
62%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/21
Career Outlook for Gender Studies degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Cost of Degree: $12,186Expenses: $20,145Starting Salary: $31,104Salary after 4 years: $43,237Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is a comprehensive women’s and gender studies program. The program offers a unique focus on Hawaii, Asia, and the Pacific, as well as certificates in Queer Studies and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Students taking advantage of the fully online bachelor’s option can learn about gender through the lens of these fascinating cultures, all without having to relocate.
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2024 #4 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2025 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Massachusetts
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
55%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1140/26
Career Outlook for Gender Studies degree at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Cost of Degree: $15,208Expenses: $21,112Starting Salary: $30,923Salary after 4 years: $42,986Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Women’s and Gender Studies
A women’s and gender studies degree from UMass Dartmouth places students in courses as diverse as business and visual arts to create well-rounded graduates ready to begin careers across the job market. Those already pursuing their career goals are in luck, the online format is designed so that you can attend at convenient times and ensure that there is no need to change your work schedule or put your career on hold.
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2024
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
51%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/21
Career Outlook for Gender Studies degree at Western Kentucky University
Cost of Degree: $11,436Expenses: $15,452Starting Salary: $23,178Salary after 4 years: $32,219Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Sociology
Western Kentucky University’s Gender and Women’s Studies Program hails gender and women’s studies as one of the
most important fields of inquiry to emerge in higher education in the past forty years.
WKU has developed a program designed to showcase the ways that the field can positively impact the future. Offering their program online allows students from all backgrounds and locations to take advantage of the program and how to learn how to advocate for their goals of ethical conduct, social justice, and responsible global citizenship.Concentrations
- Family-Gender And Sexuality
- Community
- Environment And Development
- Inequality And Social Change
- Research Methods
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024 #6 Best Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs for 2024 #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs for 2024 #11 Best Online Colleges in California 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
46%
Student body
17K
Career Outlook for Gender Studies degree at California State University, East Bay
Cost of Degree: $7,055Expenses: $21,461Starting Salary: $34,946Salary after 4 years: $48,579Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Ethnic Studies
Concentrations
- Genders and Sexualities in Communities of Color Concentration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
- #7 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2025 #7 Best Research Universities in Missouri 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2025 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2024
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
51%
Graduation
52%
Student body
19K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/23
Career Outlook for Gender Studies degree at University of Missouri–St. Louis
Cost of Degree: $14,400Expenses: $20,666Starting Salary: $29,542Salary after 4 years: $41,067Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BLS in Liberal Studies
Concentrations
- Communication
- Gender Studies
- History
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4 years
- Format: Online
- #10 Best Online MBA Programs in California 2025 #19 Best Online Colleges in California 2024 #23 Best Online Master's Programs in California 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
55%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for Gender Studies degree at California State University, Stanislaus
Cost of Degree: $7,826Expenses: $17,480Starting Salary: $29,122Salary after 4 years: $40,482Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryOnline Degrees
BA in Gender Studies
Concentrations
- Culture
- Ideology and Representation
- History
- Society and Inequality
- Ethnicity
- Nationality and Sexuality
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion time: 4-5 years
- Format: Online
Career Outlook for Students with Gender Studies Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies, Other
Degree Level: Bachelor's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
- Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,497
- Avg. Expenses*: $19,818
- Avg. Starting Salary*: $32,250
- Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $44,831
- Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 13 years
- Job Growth: 4.08%
- Number of Jobs: 14,700
- * denotes ‘annually’
- ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’
Career Salaries
| Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 4.08% | $86,030 |
Top Industries
| Industry | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $86,030 |
Gender Studies As a Degree Program and Career Path
If you are passionate about the role of gender in media, psychology, culture, politics, and more, consider diving deeper and learning more about the interesting world of gender studies.
This field revolves around analyzing how people think of gender in terms of society, history, and culture. A bachelor’s in gender studies features an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on many applications in gender research, social justice, and advocacy, as well as some interesting applications in non-related fields.
Careers in Online Bachelor’s in Gender Studies
Degree holders of a gender studies degree are very well-versed in various fields, from literature to sociology, and they have impeccable critical thinking, reasoning, and writing skills.
That is why gender studies graduates are qualified for so many different jobs in politics, social sciences, and media. Plus, a major in online gender studies brings a valuable and unique perspective to any field they want to join, and the capacity to make that field a fairer and less biased one.
Below are some of the most lucrative careers for graduates with an online bachelor’s in gender studies.
- Journalist: If you’re a fan of investigating stories or reporting on current events, having an online degree in gender studies will give you the research, reasoning, and critical thinking skills you need to become an amazing journalist. You can even focus on issues and stories that you care about, including LGBTQ+ issues or gender equality.
- Teacher: Graduates of online gender studies also make amazing teachers since the program gives you a solid foundation in the field.
- Writer: Like most liberal arts degrees, completing a gender studies program will give you excellent written communication skills and an intensive collection of academic writing. If you love writing essays during your gender studies major, a career in writing is a good choice.
- Casting Director: Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in gender studies who are interested in theatre, film, or TV, or simply on the production side of the industry can become casting directors. Today, the entertainment industry is in constant need of a new generation of people dedicated to diversity in representation and casting.
- Human Resources Manager: HR managers are trained to handle a company’s employees—from the interview down to the hiring process, then to the employees’ well-being while working in the company.
- Non-profit program director: Gender studies graduates who plan to make a career out of advocacy can join the non-profit world. As a non-profit program director, you can either join or launch an organization that advocates for the improvement of a specific political or social issue or acts on behalf of a particular group of marginalized people.
- Human Rights Advocates: Online degree holders of a bachelor’s in gender studies can directly apply their studies in inequality, identity, and oppression to use in progressive and practical ways. Human rights advocates fight for and on behalf of the marginalized sector for fair opportunities and treatment.
Regardless of what level you plan to teach, teachers have the knowledge and understanding of social and identity issues, and can easily communicate even the most complex of ideas—highly critical skills gender studies majors often have.
A background in gender studies is relevant to the HR field, knowing sexism and other types of identity discrimination are rampant issues in the workplace. As an HR manager, being aware of these issues right from the start of the hiring process can help lessen stereotypes, biases, pay gaps, and harassment.
There are myriad non-profit organizations that you can get involved with. Being a non-profit program director, you will supervise the organization and its functioning.
Students’ Submitted Questions on the Best Online Bachelor’s of Gender Studies Degree Programs
Veronica asks, “How do online platforms ensure inclusivity and sensitivity towards diverse gender identities and cultural backgrounds?”
Dr. James Barham’s answer: Colleges and universities will ensure emotional safety and inclusivity through a number of ways, such as diverse representation in the course materials, inclusive language throughout discussions and interactions, and proper training and resources for instructors in interacting with students. This will all vary based on the college, so it might be wise to have a conversation with a representative of the schools you are interested in to ensure you feel safe in that environment.
Demi asks, “How interactive are the online courses?”
Dr. Jed Macosko’s answer: This will depend on the particular institution and program. Some programs have synchronous courses and a curriculum that ensures students have ample opportunity to interact with one another and professors. However, asynchronous schedules typically allow for fewer interactions, unless the course instructor makes discussion and group work a priority.
Ty asks, “Can I specialize in certain areas within gender studies?”
Dr. James Barham’s answer: While the specific specializations offered will vary from school to school, you typically can specialize in certain areas of the field. Common areas of specialization include feminist theory, queer studies, intersectionality, transgender studies, reproductive justice, and social justice and activism.
Ranking Process for the Best Bachelor’s in Gender Studies Programs
In putting together the best gender studies online bachelor’s programs, we measured academic excellence by way of specific factors. Academic rigor, even in online education, is a primary yardstick!
The comprehensive curricula in our recommended gender studies online bachelor programs feature core and liberal arts courses. These courses shape each online student into becoming the next generation of experts in the discipline, with a passion for equality, fair treatment, and human rights advocacy, among other related causes.
Having experienced subject experts as faculty is an indicator of academic excellence, too! Gender studies authors and professionals in fields that utilize the principles of the discipline are the most qualified individuals to facilitate the online learning program and advance the field.
Accreditation is crucial to an online program, and gender studies is no exception! The reputable schools offering this program are all fully accredited, emphasizing adherence to the rules of instruction and standards established by academic organizations.
