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2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

32 Ranked Colleges
187 Degrees Awarded
$37,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 32 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in area studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality area studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $30-$48k)

#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 $30-$48k. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees 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. 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

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Harvard Area Studies Report

#3

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Yale Area Studies Report

#4

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brown University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Brown is located in Providence, Rhode Island and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Area Studies at Brown University

#5

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cornell University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Cornell is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also took the #5 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell University Area Studies Report

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #21 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 Purdue are $28,794.

Read more about Area Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus

#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full U-M Area Studies Report

#9

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#18 in overall quality

William & Mary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 5 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

William & Mary also took the #18 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 William & Mary are $34,800.

Full William & Mary Area Studies Report

#12 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 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 Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#11

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

UMCP also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at UMCP

#12

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 1 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 $30-$48k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #23 rank 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 more about Area Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

#13

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at UC Berkeley

#14

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full IU Bloomington Area Studies Report

#19 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Area Studies at UIUC

#16

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#17

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#14 in overall quality

Boston University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boston, 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 4 students 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 University are $57,666.

Read more about Area Studies at Boston U

#15 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

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.

Full UT Austin Area Studies Report

#19

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 3 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Southern California

#20

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
#16 in overall quality

George Washington University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

GWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Washington University are $31,824, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Area Studies at GWU

#21

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Tulane University of Louisiana did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tulane University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Tulane not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 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 Tulane University of Louisiana are $61,176.

Read more about Area Studies at Tulane University of Louisiana

#22

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s area studies students 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

#23

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Washington State University is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 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 Wazzu Area Studies Report

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIC Area Studies Report

#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 $30-$48k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa also took the #22 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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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