2027 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for area studies students.
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2027 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in area studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Area Studies Schools
For return on investment in area studies, no school beat Towson University this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in area studies will find it at Suny College At Old Westbury, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. 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. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for area studies. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $20,537. Area Studies graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,395 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. That is a strong return on a $24,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $41,903. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #6 for value in area studies this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $23,276. Area Studies graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $48,650 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cornell University landed the #7 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $43,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $34,142. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #9 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $24,958. Early-career area studies graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
George Washington University placed #10 among the best values for area studies. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.
New York University placed #11 among the best values for area studies. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Dickinson College landed the #12 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,650 in tuition and fees. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $19,802 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $32,722. That is a strong return on a $19,802 median debt. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #13 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University placed #14 among the best values for area studies. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $16,483. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $64,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
American University landed the #15 spot for area studies value this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $43,671. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University landed the #16 spot for area studies value this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Students borrow a median of $26,884 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $40,811. Set against $26,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
