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2023 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the New England Region

16 Ranked Colleges
928 Degrees Awarded
$9,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Area Studies is the 115th most popular major in the country with 6,966 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 New England region, there were 928 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,429 and $16,672 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 16 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the New England Region

1
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Yale University is a fairly large school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 58 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Yale is $3,083 for New England 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Area Studies at Yale University

2
Dartmouth crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, New Hampshire

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dartmouth College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 49 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Dartmouth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dartmouth College is $8,718 for new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Dartmouth

3
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Williams College landed the #3 spot on the list. Williamstown, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Williams, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $5,480 for new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Williams.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. 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.

Read more about Area Studies at Williams College

4
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island

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 in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 101 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Brown has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brown is $2,842 for New England Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Brown University

5
Wellesley crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, Massachusetts

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wellesley College landed the #5 spot on the list. Wellesley is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It awarded 23 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Wellesley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wellesley College is $8,021 for new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Wellesley

6
Amherst crest
Amherst College
Amherst, Massachusetts

Amherst College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Amherst is a small school located in Amherst, Massachusetts that handed out 12 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Amherst has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Amherst College is $4,459 for New England Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Area Studies at Amherst College

7
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Medford, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Tufts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tufts University is $7,987 for New England Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Tufts

8
Bowdoin crest
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, Maine

With a ranking of #8, Bowdoin College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, Maine and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 51 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Bowdoin also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Bowdoin College is $7,823 for new england 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 86%. 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. 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Bowdoin College

9
Middlebury crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, Vermont

Middlebury College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Middlebury College is located in Middlebury, Vermont and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Middlebury has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Middlebury is $7,221 for new england 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 89%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Middlebury

10
Smith crest
Smith College
Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Smith is located in Northampton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Smith also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Smith College is $9,672 for New England Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Smith College

11
Trinity Bantams crest
Trinity College
Hartford, Connecticut

Trinity College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Trinity Bantams is located in Hartford, Connecticut and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Trinity Bantams also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity Bantams is $8,608 for new england 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 90%. 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. 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 full report on Area Studies at Trinity College

12
Brandeis crest
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Brandeis University is located in Waltham, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 70 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Brandeis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis University is $19,186 for new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Brandeis

13
Conn College crest
Connecticut College
New London, Connecticut

Connecticut College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Connecticut College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New London, Connecticut. It awarded 27 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Conn College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Connecticut College is $13,979 for New England Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Connecticut College Area Studies Report

14
Mt. Holyoke crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Hadley, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mt. Holyoke has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Holyoke College is $13,907 for new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Mt. Holyoke Area Studies Report

15
UCONN crest
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut

With a ranking of #15, University of Connecticut did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Connecticut is a public institution located in Storrs, Connecticut. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCONN, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Connecticut is $15,498 for New England Region Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCONN Area Studies Report

16

University of Massachusetts - Boston landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the New England Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

UMass Boston also took the #16 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMass Boston is $14,230 for new england region area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Massachusetts - Boston

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