2023 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
20
Ranked Colleges
1,538
Degrees Awarded
$14,000
Avg Net Price*
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 in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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 the Middle Atlantic region, there were 1,538 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,912 and $23,607 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in area studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality area studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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.
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 in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 121 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Columbia also took the #2 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $4,699 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Columbia University in the City of New York Area Studies Report
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgetown University landed the #2 spot on the list. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 132 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgetown, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Georgetown University is $9,871 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. 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 full report on Area Studies at Georgetown University
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Cornell University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 49 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell is $5,133 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Cornell University Area Studies Report
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Barnard College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in New York, New York, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 36 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Barnard has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $15,090 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Barnard.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Barnard College Area Studies Report
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colgate University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Hamilton, New York, and it awarded 22 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Colgate also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $7,197 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Colgate University.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Area Studies at Colgate University
University of Maryland - College Park landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Maryland - College Park is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 36 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Maryland - College Park is $11,567 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full University of Maryland - College Park Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #7, Brooklyn College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Brooklyn College is a fairly large school located in Brooklyn, New York that handed out 3 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Brooklyn College also took the #18 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brooklyn College is $3,105 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Brooklyn College
The City College of New York landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CCNY is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CCNY not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $3,035 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The City College of New York.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at CCNY
George Washington University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GWU is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at GWU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for George Washington University is $14,889 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Area Studies at George Washington University
University of Delaware came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UD is located in Newark, Delaware and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UD has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Delaware is $14,583 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UD Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, University of Maryland - Baltimore County did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Maryland - Baltimore County is a public institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMBC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $14,328 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Maryland - Baltimore County.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Area Studies at UMBC
With a ranking of #12, Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rutgers New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Rutgers New Brunswick has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rutgers University - New Brunswick is $15,182 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Rutgers New Brunswick
With a ranking of #13, University at Albany did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University at Albany is a fairly large school located in Albany, New York that handed out 26 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UAlbany, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $15,864 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University at Albany.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UAlbany Area Studies Report
Rutgers University - Newark landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Rutgers Newark is a public institution located in Newark, New Jersey. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Rutgers Newark not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Rutgers Newark is $13,649 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Rutgers University - Newark Area Studies Report
New York University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NYU is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 118 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
NYU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for New York University is $24,131 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Area Studies at NYU
Fordham University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fordham U is a fairly large school located in Bronx, New York that handed out 59 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Fordham U also took the #8 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Fordham University is $26,121 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full Fordham U Area Studies Report
Syracuse University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Syracuse is a private not-for-profit institution located in Syracuse, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Syracuse did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Syracuse University is $19,737 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area Studies at Syracuse
Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Millersville is a medium-sized school located in Millersville, Pennsylvania that handed out 11 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Millersville has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millersville University of Pennsylvania is $18,798 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at Millersville
With a ranking of #19, La Salle University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. La Salle is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 6 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
La Salle also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $21,539 for middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend La Salle.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 La Salle University
Houghton College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Houghton is located in Houghton, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Houghton has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $20,548 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Houghton.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at Houghton
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