by our College Data Analytics Team
[Area Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong area studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for area studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in area studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Washington University In St Louis tops our 2027 list of the best value area studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $17,553. Early-career area studies graduates make about $30,716. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #2 place for area studies. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $44,096. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in area studies will find it at Gustavus Adolphus College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $26,197. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Set against $26,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $19,426. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.