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2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

13 Ranked Colleges
123 Degrees Awarded
$32,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

Across the Southeast region, there were 1,003 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,229 and $21,228 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 123 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 13 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 13 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s area studies degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

UF also took the #6 spot in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.

Full UF Area Studies Report

#2

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #1 spot in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Read full report on Area Studies at Vanderbilt

#3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 2 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

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

#4

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 2 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

William & Mary also took the #4 spot in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” 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

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #5 spot on the list. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s area studies degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

FIU also made our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at Florida International University

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USF Tampa Area Studies Report

#7

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Florida State also made our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Area Studies at Florida State

#8

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#3 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 9 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Virginia Area Studies Report

#9

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana
#2 in overall quality

Tulane University of Louisiana came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New Orleans, Louisiana 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 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tulane has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tulane University of Louisiana are $61,176, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Area Studies at Tulane University of Louisiana

#10

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#12 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 3 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Charlotte also made our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte are $21,055, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Charlotte Area Studies Report

#11

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#7 in overall quality

George Mason University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 9 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Area Studies at George Mason University

#12

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#10 in overall quality

The University of Alabama came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree area studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UA has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Alabama Area Studies Report

#13

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Georgia

Kennesaw State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. KSU Georgia is a large school located in Kennesaw, Georgia that handed out 2 masters’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KSU Georgia, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at KSU Georgia are $21,174, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Area Studies at KSU Georgia

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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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