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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $0-$30k)

32 Ranked Colleges
187 Degrees Awarded
$38,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 6,820 people earned their degree in area studies, making the major the 106th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, area studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,734 and had an average of $23,024 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 187 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 32 colleges that offered a degree in area studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent area studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the area studies program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Area Studies Schools

The area studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford University Area Studies Report

#2

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Yale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500.

Full Yale University Area Studies Report

#3

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Harvard Area Studies Report

#4

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brown University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brown Area Studies Report

#5

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cornell University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ithaca, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Area Studies at Cornell University

#6

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMCP has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Maryland - College Park Area Studies Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#11 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Area Studies Report

#9

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#18 in overall quality

William & Mary ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

William & Mary also took the #18 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at William & Mary

#12 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Area Studies Report

#11

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#21 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus

#12

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 1 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 1 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#14

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #9 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Area Studies at UC Berkeley

#15

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IU Bloomington Area Studies Report

#16

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 3 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at UMN Twin Cities

#17

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
#10 in overall quality

Brandeis University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brandeis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Waltham, Massachusetts. It awarded 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Brandeis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandeis are $52,060, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brandeis Area Studies Report

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

Read more about Area Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

#19

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666.

Full Boston U Area Studies Report

#20

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Arizona is a large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 2 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Arizona

#21

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana
#20 in overall quality

Tulane University of Louisiana came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Tulane also took the #20 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tulane are $61,176.

Read full report on Area Studies at Tulane University of Louisiana

#22

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 1 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Washington State University Area Studies Report

#23

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at USC

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at UIC

#25

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#22 in overall quality

University of Iowa ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Iowa Area Studies Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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