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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

16 Ranked Colleges
192 Degrees Awarded
$29,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Area Studies is the 106th most popular major in the country with 6,820 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,412 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,483 and $21,165 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 192 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 16 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the area studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. 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 for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 16 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s 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. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s area studies degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read full report on Area Studies at Stanford

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 29 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Area Studies at UW Seattle

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

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 for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 29 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of California - Los Angeles

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 9 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Berkeley Area Studies Report

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Area Studies at Cal State LA

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Fullerton Area Studies Report

#11 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at UCR

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 6 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at California State University - Long Beach

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full SDSU Area Studies Report

#7 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Area Studies at University of California - San Diego

#11

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#8 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s area studies degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at UCSB

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700.

Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Davis

#13

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of Southern California ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715.

Full University of Southern California Area Studies Report

#14

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. UH Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa are $34,550.

Full UH Manoa Area Studies Report

#15

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#9 in overall quality

University of Oregon ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s area studies degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

UO also took the #9 spot in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at UO

#16

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of San Francisco did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USFCA is a fairly large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 18 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USFCA, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Francisco are $26,710.

Read more about Area Studies at University of San Francisco

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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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