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2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid

20 Ranked Colleges
1,538 Degrees Awarded
$24,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 the Middle Atlantic region, there were 1,538 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,912 and $23,607 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 20 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Columbia also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Columbia University in the City of New York is $22,823 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid.

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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 Columbia University in the City of New York Area Studies Report

2
Brooklyn College crest
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brooklyn College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Brooklyn College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $3,067 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid per year to attend Brooklyn College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Brooklyn College Area Studies Report

3

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The City College of New York landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 5 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students with aid list, CCNY has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CCNY is $2,805 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid.

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%.

Full The City College of New York Area Studies Report

4

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - College Park landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in College Park, Maryland, and it awarded 36 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMCP is $18,048 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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 University of Maryland - College Park Area Studies Report

5
Barnard crest
Barnard College
New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Barnard College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid. Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Barnard, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Barnard is $33,122 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, 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 93%. 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.

Read full report on Area Studies at Barnard College

6
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 132 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students with aid list, Georgetown has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgetown is $32,108 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Georgetown University Area Studies Report

7
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, New York

Colgate University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Colgate University is a small school located in Hamilton, New York that handed out 22 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Colgate did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $27,775 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid per year to attend Colgate.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Colgate

8
UD crest
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware

University of Delaware landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UD is a large school located in Newark, Delaware that handed out 13 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UD, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UD is $18,967 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, 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 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Delaware

9
UAlbany crest
University at Albany
Albany, New York

University at Albany did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. University at Albany is a fairly large school located in Albany, New York that handed out 26 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UAlbany not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $18,355 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid per year to attend UAlbany.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Full University at Albany Area Studies Report

10
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Rutgers New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region area studies students with aid list, Rutgers New Brunswick has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rutgers New Brunswick is $23,035 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

11
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Cornell University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ithaca, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

Cornell also took the #4 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cornell is $37,042 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid.

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%. 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 96%.

Read more about Area Studies at Cornell

12
Rutgers Newark crest
Rutgers University - Newark
Newark, New Jersey

With a ranking of #12, Rutgers University - Newark did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Newark, New Jersey is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

Rutgers Newark also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Rutgers Newark is $15,996 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Rutgers Newark

13

University of Maryland - Baltimore County came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Maryland - Baltimore County is a fairly large school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 16 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UMBC also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $19,460 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid per year to attend UMBC.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, 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 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UMBC

14
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Millersville is a medium-sized school located in Millersville, Pennsylvania that handed out 11 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Millersville also took the #16 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $23,133 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid per year to attend Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

15
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

La Salle also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend La Salle University is $25,819 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full La Salle Area Studies Report

16
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

New York University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. New York University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NYU also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $38,569 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid per year to attend New York University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at New York University

17
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

George Washington University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GWU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend George Washington University is $32,563 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at George Washington University

18
Houghton crest
Houghton College
Houghton, New York

Houghton College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Houghton is a small school located in Houghton, New York that handed out 12 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Houghton also took the #19 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Houghton College is $23,764 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 Houghton College

19
Fordham U crest
Fordham University
Bronx, New York

Fordham University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Bronx, New York, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Fordham U also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Fordham U is $38,147 for Middle Atlantic Region Area Studies students with aid.

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%. 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 Fordham University Area Studies Report

20
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Syracuse University is located in Syracuse, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Syracuse did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $34,683 for middle atlantic region area studies students with aid per year to attend Syracuse University.

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

Full Syracuse Area Studies Report

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