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2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k

20 Ranked Colleges
651 Degrees Awarded
$20,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor's in California For Those Making $75-$110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 California, there were 1,008 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,743 and $17,480 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 651 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,907 and $21,546 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 20 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.

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

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 Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 20 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $75-$110k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $10,631 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Stanford University Area Studies Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 68 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $12,916 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Cal State Fullerton

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 103 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $21,401 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Area Studies at UC Berkeley

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $14,544 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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 students.

Read more about Area Studies at CSULB

#20 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $9,576 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 Cal State LA

#6

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 99 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $19,590 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UCLA

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCR has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $18,395 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full University of California - Riverside Area Studies Report

University of California - Irvine came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 19 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $19,851 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive 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 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Irvine Area Studies Report

#19 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 17 degrees to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $15,346 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Area Studies Report

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 28 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $17,622 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, 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 93%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UC Davis

University of California - San Diego came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCSD has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $20,205 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of California - San Diego

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $15,812 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Full California State University - Sacramento Area Studies Report

#13

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

SFSU also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $21,027 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Area Studies at SFSU

#14

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

With a ranking of #14, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $18,766 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend San Diego State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SDSU Area Studies Report

#15

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCSB has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $22,226 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara

California State University - Chico landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $19,444 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Full Chico State Area Studies Report

#17

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #15 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $22,739 for california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UC Santa Cruz

#18

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #18, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $30,858 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

Since the school has a 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 excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 USC

#19

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $75-$110k list, USFCA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of San Francisco is $38,753 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of San Francisco

#20

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

Loyola Marymount University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Marymount also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Marymount University is $40,964 for California Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $75-$110k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Marymount University 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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