2027 Best Value Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Area Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 71 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for area studies students.
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2027 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in area studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Area Studies Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for area studies. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $29,316. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $17,492. Early-career area studies graduates make about $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in area studies will find it at Rice University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $11,904. Area Studies graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for area studies. 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. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,300 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Set against $11,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #7 for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $15,697. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,591. Set against $15,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #8 among the best values for area studies. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $17,746. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $19,844. Early-career area studies graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #11 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $28,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,984 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of North Georgia landed the #12 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,922 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $43,668 early in their careers. Set against $14,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the area studies program here. 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 earned the #15 position for value in area studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Bowdoin College came in at #16 for value in area studies this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $45,315. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #17 among the best values for area studies. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #18 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $30,897. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #19 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $14,167. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $21,527 early in their careers. Set against $14,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Florida International University placed #20 among the best values for area studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $21,544 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $19,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Utah placed #21 among the best values for area studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $20,798. Area Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $10,236 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $37,019 early in their careers. Set against $10,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Nevada State College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,765, while out-of-state students pay about $21,833. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $34,213. Early-career area studies graduates make about $54,607. That is a strong return on a $34,213 median debt. Nevada State College admits about 87% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Utah State University earned the #25 position for value in area studies this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $13,000. Area Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $31,894 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Area Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s area studies value ranking:
Other Area Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Area Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Area Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
