2027 Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools
[Area Studies, Other](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/area-studies-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong area studies, other education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for area studies, other students.
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Finding the Best Value Area Studies, Other School for You
The area studies, other program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in area studies, other, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in area studies, other in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $31,955 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in area studies, other will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #3 place for area studies, other. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in area studies, other will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $17,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for area studies, other. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $14,922. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $43,972 early in their careers. Set against $14,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Nevada State College landed the #6 spot for area studies, other value this year. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,765 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,833. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $34,213 in student loans. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $54,607. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nevada State College admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for area studies, other value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $22,050 in student loans. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,332 early in their careers. Set against $22,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Utah State University landed the #8 spot for area studies, other value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $31,894. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #9 among the best values for area studies, other. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,697 to complete the area studies, other program here. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #10 for value in area studies, other this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,850 to complete the area studies, other program here. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $20,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
College Of William And Mary placed #11 among the best values for area studies, other. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the area studies, other program here. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #12 for value in area studies, other this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the area studies, other program here. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $44,096. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies, other schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #14 spot for area studies, other value this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the area studies, other program here. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $32,064 early in their careers. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Yale University came in at #15 for value in area studies, other this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the area studies, other program here. Area Studies, Other graduates of Yale University earn a median of $55,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #16 among the best values for area studies, other. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $23,500. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $35,557. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College came in at #17 for value in area studies, other this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the area studies, other program here. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $34,142. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
Duke University placed #18 among the best values for area studies, other. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $13,296. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #19 position for value in area studies, other this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the area studies, other program here. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Southern California came in at #20 for value in area studies, other this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #21 for value in area studies, other this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $51,233. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Occidental College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies, other schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,274 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $22,967. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $41,514. That is a strong return on a $22,967 median debt. Occidental College admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of San Francisco landed the #23 spot for area studies, other value this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete the area studies, other program here. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $65,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
