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

17 Ranked Colleges
880 Degrees Awarded
$29,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” 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 California, there were 880 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,544 and $17,829 respectively.

This year’s “Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 17 colleges that offered a degree in area studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent area studies programs, but they also cost less that 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.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for california area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income Over $110k) in California

1

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #1 spot on the list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 CSULB

2

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #12 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for california 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 89%. 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at Cal State Fullerton

3

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 103 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $15,023 for california area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. 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 University of California - Los Angeles

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 105 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for California 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at UC Berkeley

5
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Diego State University landed the #5 spot on the list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for california area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Area Studies at San Diego State University

6

With a ranking of #6, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,240 for California Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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%.

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

7

With a ranking of #7, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $15,768 for California Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Davis Area Studies Report

8

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #8 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for California 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 91%. 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 UCSB Area Studies Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 35 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for California Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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

Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Irvine

10

California State University - Northridge came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 6 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for California Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at CSUN

11

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Chico State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $16,218 for california area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at California State University - Chico

12

University of California - Riverside landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 21 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $11,822 for california area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full University of California - Riverside Area Studies Report

13

California State University - Sacramento ranked #13 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 7 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $11,178 for California Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Sac State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at California State University - Sacramento

14
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 43 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $12,894 for california area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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. The low undergrad 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at Stanford

15

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california area studies students whose families make more than $110k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UC Santa Cruz

16
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Azusa, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Azusa Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific University is $30,744 for California Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, 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.

Read more about Area Studies at Azusa Pacific University

17
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco ranked #17 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 31 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of San Francisco is $40,053 for california area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at USFCA

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