Best Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Programs of 2022
Peace and conflict studies is an interdisciplinary social science field that analyzes structural reasons for violence and looks for ways to resolve conflicts. Peace studies and conflict resolution students often seek answers to violence by studying ideas like democracy, human rights, and gender.
A bachelor’s in peace studies and conflict resolution packs all of this theory into a four-year, 120-credit degree. In the 2019-20 academic year, the average annual tuition for a bachelor’s degree was approximately $9,350 for in-state learners and $27,020 for out-of-state students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Students who enroll online can save on true program costs, avoiding fees like room and board and transportation.
Read on to learn more about the 10 best bachelor’s in peace studies and conflict resolution programs.
Our Top Pick
Swarthmore College – Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Why It’s #1: Swarthmore College is the number one ranked school on our 2022 Best Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution list. This elite liberal arts college maintains a competitive admission rate of 9%. Nevertheless, the vast majority of students who enroll (94%) are able to graduate from the program. About 63% of Swarthmore’s students receive financial aid, which helps offset some of the college’s higher tuition rates.
2022 Best Accredited Bachelor’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Programs
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$54,256
- Out-of-state$54,256
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate9%
- Students Enrolled1,594
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,019
- Out-of-state$34,198
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,278
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate23%
- Students Enrolled29,877
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
Wellesley College
- Wellesley, MA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$55,728
- Out-of-state$55,728
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate22%
- Students Enrolled2,519
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
College of the Holy Cross
- Worcester, MA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$54,050
- Out-of-state$54,050
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate34%
- Students Enrolled2,963
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Villanova University
- Villanova, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,550
- Out-of-state$54,550
- In-State$20,506
- Out-of-state$20,506
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate28%
- Students Enrolled10,848
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,412
- Out-of-state$26,017
- In-State$7,211
- Out-of-state$25,455
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled32,852
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
DePauw University
- Greencastle, IN
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$50,278
- Out-of-state$50,278
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled1,972
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Daytona Beach, FL
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$35,424
- Out-of-state$35,424
- In-State$17,712
- Out-of-state$17,712
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled7,056
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment1%
- AccreditationYes
California State University-Dominguez Hills
- Carson, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled17,977
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Whitworth University
- Spokane, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$43,800
- Out-of-state$43,800
- In-State$12,168
- Out-of-state$12,168
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled2,814
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment2%
- AccreditationYes
Popular Online Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How We Rank Schools
Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Bachelor’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 62 schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.
- Each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution.
- Must offer a bachelor’s degree program in the given subject.
- Must submit an annual report to the National Center for Education Statistics.
To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking, and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors (60%) and affordability (40%).
The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.
BestColleges’ Ranking Factors
Frequently Asked Questions About Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Programs
For the majority of students, a bachelor’s in peace studies and conflict resolution is worth it. However, the value of any degree is subjective and depends on each individual student’s goals and circumstances.
A peace studies and conflict resolution degree teaches broad skills — including decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking — that apply to careers in nearly any field. As such, students can qualify for most entry-level careers, taking their futures into their own hands.
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