2027 Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Area Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their area studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 71 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best area studies schools.
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Best Schools for Area Studies in the United States
These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in area studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Area Studies
Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 school for area studies. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 47 area studies degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $83,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
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Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 20 area studies degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
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Georgetown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 108 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $64,851. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
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A rank of #4 makes Rice University one of the top schools for area studies. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $75,299 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Dartmouth College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Dartmouth College awarded about 38 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,520 to complete this degree.
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Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for area studies this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $63,111 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844.
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Amherst College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 area studies degrees were awarded at Amherst College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $49,149. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398.
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University Of California Berkeley landed the #8 spot for area studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 49 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $50,728 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,972 in student loans.
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Wellesley College placed #9 among the best area studies schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,231. Students borrow a median of $9,525 to complete this degree.
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Wesleyan University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 77 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans.
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Trinity College came in at #11 for area studies this year. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 11 area studies degrees were awarded at Trinity College in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #12 spot for area studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 94 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $31,955 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
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Yale University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $55,618 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
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College Of William And Mary landed the #14 spot for area studies this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 17 area studies degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $53,779 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250.
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Stanford University came in at #15 for area studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 32 area studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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Occidental College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Occidental College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Occidental College awarded about 13 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Occidental College earn a median of $41,514 early in their careers. Occidental College graduates carry a median of $22,967 in student loans.
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Washington University In St Louis landed the #17 spot for area studies this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $30,716 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
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University Of Utah ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Utah awarded about 12 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $60,527 in their early career. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans.
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Harvard University landed the #19 spot for area studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 16 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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University Of Kentucky came in at #20 for area studies this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of Kentucky awarded about 19 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $49,568 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans.
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University Of Notre Dame placed #21 among the best area studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $35,304 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250.
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Brown University landed the #22 spot for area studies this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 29 area studies degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $39,165 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #23 for area studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Saint Peter. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197.
More information about a degree in area studies from Gustavus Adolphus College
University Of Maryland University College placed #24 among the best area studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Adelphi. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. About 52 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $48,650 early in their careers. University Of Maryland University College graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans.
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Middlebury College placed #25 among the best area studies schools. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Middlebury College graduates carry a median of $11,593 in student loans.
More information about a degree in area studies from Middlebury College
Rest of the Top 50 Area Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong area studies education:
Other Area Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best area studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Area Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 71 schools evaluated.
- 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.