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2023 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income Over $110k)

95 Ranked Colleges
6,966 Degrees Awarded
$22,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

This year’s “Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 95 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.

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. 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 Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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.

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Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income Over $110k)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. BYU is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,474 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 221 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $12,469 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, 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 95%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

3
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 95 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #3 spot on the list. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $5,135 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Florida

4

Out of the 95 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 192 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our area studies students whose families make more than $110k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $12,017 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Area Studies Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 48 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $10,054 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at CSULB

6

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #6. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 107 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Austin is $18,350 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

7

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Area Studies Schools” list. It costs about $14,878 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Area Studies at U-M

8

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 157 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 95%.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison

9
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,572 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Utah.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at U of U

10
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 15 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $9,946 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Florida State Area Studies Report

11
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #11, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,358 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Arizona.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Arizona Area Studies Report

12

Iowa State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,002 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Iowa State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Iowa State University

13

California State University - Fullerton ranked #13 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,003 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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 California State University - Fullerton

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Mizzou

15

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,619 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full IU Bloomington Area Studies Report

16

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 103 students in 2020-2021.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Area Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCLA Area Studies Report

17

University of Maryland - College Park ranked #17 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UMCP is $18,048 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, 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 95%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Maryland - College Park

18

Miami University - Oxford ranked #18 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 56 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Area Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Oxford is $24,756 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, 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 88%.

Full Miami University - Oxford Area Studies Report

19

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #19 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 25 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend ASU - Tempe is $13,107 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 ASU - Tempe Area Studies Report

20

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $18,505 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at UMN Duluth

21

With a ranking of #21, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 105 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Area Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at UC Berkeley

22

Utah State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #22. Logan, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,257 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Utah State University.

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 Utah State University

23
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #23, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $13,845 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at SDSU

24
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school handed out 30 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $19,401 for Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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 88%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Iowa

25

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $14,321 for area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Area Studies at UIUC

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