by our College Data Analytics Team
[Area Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their area studies graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 75 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying area studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send area studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in area studies, no school beat George Washington University this year. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career area studies graduates from George Washington University make a median of around $83,602 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in area studies will find them at The University Of Alabama, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,580.
Strong graduate earnings at Towson University earned it the #3 place for area studies. Towson University is a public school located in the city of Towson. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Towson University typically earn about $69,096 annually.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,837.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern California one of the highest-paying schools for area studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,870.
Yale University came in at #6 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from Yale University make a median of around $81,531 per year.
Dartmouth College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from Dartmouth College make a median of around $91,237 per year.
College Of William And Mary placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. College Of William And Mary is a public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from College Of William And Mary typically earn about $75,576 annually.
Cornell University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Area Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of about $81,545 a year early in their careers.
Williams College came in at #10 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Area Studies graduates of Williams College earn a median of about $88,619 a year early in their careers.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from Columbia University In The City Of New York make a median of around $78,037 per year.
Miami University Oxford ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Miami University Oxford typically earn about $62,041 annually.
Nevada State College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a public institution. Early-career area studies graduates from Nevada State College make a median of around $54,607 per year.
Fordham University earned the #14 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Fordham University typically earn about $74,201 annually.
Emory University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from Emory University make a median of around $83,027 per year.
Wellesley College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from Wellesley College make a median of around $68,057 per year.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #17 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,218.
American University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. American University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career area studies graduates from American University make a median of around $67,023 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #19 spot for area studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $51,831 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Area Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of about $63,860 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. Early-career area studies graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $63,860 per year.
Tufts University earned the #22 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Area Studies graduates of Tufts University earn a median of about $62,853 a year early in their careers.
Brandeis University came in at #23 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,806.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #24 for area studies graduate earnings this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public school located in the town of New Paltz. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,093.
Connecticut College earned the #25 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,500.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning area studies graduates:
Explore the highest-paying area studies schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries area studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 75 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.