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2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

17 Ranked Colleges
880 Degrees Awarded
$16,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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 California, there were 880 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,544 and $17,829 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 17 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to 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.

Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california area studies students with aid.

Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies in California (With Aid)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 43 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california area studies students with aid list, Stanford has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $12,894 for california area studies students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Stanford

2

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 103 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for california area studies students with aid.

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.

Full UCLA Area Studies Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 105 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for California Area Studies students with aid.

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%. 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 more about Area Studies at UC Berkeley

4

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #4 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.

In addition to being on our california area studies students with aid list, CSULB has also earned the #8 rank 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 with aid.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSULB Area Studies Report

5

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #5 spot on the list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california area studies students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - Fullerton Area Studies Report

6

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 35 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #4 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,768 for California Area Studies students with aid per year to attend UC Davis.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Area Studies at UC Davis

7

With a ranking of #7, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california area studies students with aid list, UCSD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,240 for california area studies students with aid 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UCSD

8

University of California - Irvine ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and 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. It costs about $12,209 for california area studies students with aid per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

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

Full UC Irvine Area Studies Report

9

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $16,252 for california area studies students with aid.

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

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

10
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 13 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for California Area Studies students with aid per year to attend San Diego State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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 89%.

Read more about Area Studies at SDSU

11

University of California - Riverside landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 21 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $11,822 for California Area Studies students with aid.

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 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 University of California - Riverside

12

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Area Studies Report

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 11 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $16,218 for California Area Studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Chico State

14

California State University - Sacramento landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 7 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for california area studies students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

15

With a ranking of #15, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 5 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for California Area Studies students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of California - Santa Cruz

16
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 5 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Azusa Pacific also took the #16 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific is $30,744 for california area studies students with aid.

The low undergrad 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Azusa Pacific Area Studies Report

17
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. USFCA is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USFCA, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of San Francisco is $40,053 for California Area Studies students with aid.

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%.

Full University of San Francisco Area Studies Report

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