[Area Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 85 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value area studies schools.
Finding the Best Value Area Studies School for You
The right area studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Area Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Area Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $14,430. Early-career area studies graduates make about $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,955. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $29,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Sacramento is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Rice University landed the #6 spot for area studies value this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #7 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $14,972. Early-career area studies graduates make about $50,728. Set against $14,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California San Diego placed #8 among the best values for area studies. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $11,300 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,300 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University landed the #9 spot for area studies value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $15,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #11 for value in area studies this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,819 early in their careers. Set against $17,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for area studies value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #13 spot for area studies value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $16,984. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $32,062. Set against $16,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of North Georgia placed #14 among the best values for area studies. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #15 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $14,922. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $43,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #17 among the best values for area studies. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $13,975. Area Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Bowdoin College earned the #18 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $45,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #19 position for value in area studies this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #20 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $20,274. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #21 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #22 for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $30,897. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Davis earned the #23 position for value in area studies this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,167 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $21,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #24 among the best values for area studies. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $21,544 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $19,457. Set against $21,544 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Guam landed the #25 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Mangilao, University Of Guam is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,110, with out-of-state students paying around $11,414. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $15,650. Early-career area studies graduates make about $26,880. That is a strong return on a $15,650 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Area Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s area studies value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 ranked schools only.
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).
[Area Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
