2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
17
Ranked Colleges
880
Degrees Awarded
$10,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 6,966 people earned their degree in area studies, making the major the 115th most popular in the United States. 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 California, there were 880 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,544 and $17,829 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 17 colleges that offer 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
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 43 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $1,233 for california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stanford.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at Stanford University
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 105 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $8,450 for california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Area Studies at UC Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 103 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full UCLA Area Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. CSULB 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 also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California 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 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 35 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $10,006 for california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, 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 more about Area Studies at University of California - Davis
California State University - Fullerton landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 59 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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%.
Full Cal State Fullerton Area Studies Report
University of California - San Diego ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
UCSD also took the #6 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,823 for california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSD.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 38 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for California Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara
University of California - Irvine landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $6,540 for California Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, 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 94%.
Read more about Area Studies at UC Irvine
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 13 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,169 for california area studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Diego State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. 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 more about Area Studies at San Diego State University
University of California - Riverside ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $6,810 for California Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, 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 91%.
Full University of California - Riverside Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also took the #15 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $6,266 for California Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 CSUN
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $11,038 for California Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area Studies at University of California - Santa Cruz
California State University - Chico ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,754 for California Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Chico.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at Chico State
California State University - Sacramento landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
Sac State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,163 for California Area Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Sac State
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