2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k
22
Ranked Colleges
1,234
Degrees Awarded
$10,100
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Area Studies is the 115th most popular major in the country with 6,966 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, area studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $33,127 and had an average of $20,927 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,234 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,715 and $19,460 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in area studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great area studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the area studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Area Studies Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 43 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $1,233 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Stanford University Area Studies Report
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 105 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at UC Berkeley
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 192 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle also took the #3 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $5,194 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area Studies at UW Seattle
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 103 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,037 for far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at UCLA
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,663 for far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full California State University - Long Beach Area Studies Report
University of California - Davis came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 35 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $10,006 for far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read full report on Area Studies at UC Davis
California State University - Fullerton came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 59 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also took the #15 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $4,590 for far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full California State University - Fullerton Area Studies Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 22 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Area Studies at University of California - San Diego
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 38 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of California - Santa Barbara Area Studies Report
University of California - Irvine ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 35 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $6,540 for far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area Studies at UC Irvine
With a ranking of #11, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $7,169 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Area Studies at SDSU
University of California - Riverside ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 21 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCR has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $6,810 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Riverside Area Studies Report
Western Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 12 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, WWU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Washington University is $9,979 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Western Washington University
University of Hawaii at Manoa landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.
UH Manoa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Hawaii at Manoa is $10,124 for far western us region area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at UH Manoa
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $6,266 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at California State University - Northridge
University of Oregon ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Eugene, Oregon is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.
UO also took the #12 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UO is $13,666 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at UO
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #17 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $11,038 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Area Studies Report
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. California State University - Chico is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,754 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chico State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at Chico State
California State University - Sacramento ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 7 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $8,163 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Sacramento Area Studies Report
University of Washington - Bothell Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bothell, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
UW Bothell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,864 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW Bothell.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Area Studies at University of Washington - Bothell Campus
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