2027 Best Value Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Area Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for area studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the area studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Area Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for area studies in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $17,669. Early-career area studies graduates make about $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, 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. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #4 place for area studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for area studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,819. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #6 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $44,276. Set against $14,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in area studies this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career area studies graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #8 among the best values for area studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $21,544 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $19,457. That is a strong return on a $21,544 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Guam earned the #9 position for value in area studies this year. University Of Guam is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Mangilao. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,110, while out-of-state students pay about $11,414. Students borrow a median of $15,650 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of Guam earn a median of $26,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,650 median debt.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $21,710 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $21,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #11 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,050 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #12 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $38,008 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #13 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $20,850. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $20,850 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #14 for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $31,480. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #15 for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #16 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $46,699. Set against $22,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in area studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #18 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $22,486. Early-career area studies graduates make about $42,327. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University came in at #19 for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $55,618 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Cornell University placed #20 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $43,831. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Duke University came in at #21 for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $13,296. Early-career area studies graduates make about $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California landed the #22 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $15,625. Area Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #23 for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $51,233. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Georgetown University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $64,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
