by our College Data Analytics Team
[Area Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their area studies graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find where area studies graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send area studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #1 spot for highest-paid area studies graduates in the Far Western Region. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $92,837 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California produces some of the highest-paid graduates in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. 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.
Nevada State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Set 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.
Students chasing top earnings in area studies will find them at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of about $63,860 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for area studies. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. Area Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $63,860 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Riverside landed the #6 spot for area studies salaries this year. University Of California Riverside is a public school located in the city of Riverside. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside typically earn about $44,474 annually.
California State University Fullerton landed the #7 spot for area studies salaries this year. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Area Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $55,602 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #8 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $60,726 annually.
California State University Long Beach earned the #9 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Early-career area studies graduates from California State University Long Beach make a median of around $51,211 per year.
University Of Oregon came in at #10 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from University Of Oregon typically earn about $46,442 annually.
Western Washington University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of about $40,794 a year early in their careers.
California State University Chico placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,659.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,099.
University Of California Irvine came in at #14 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,897.
California State University Northridge earned the #15 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of about $26,793 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Davis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. University Of California Davis is a public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,527.
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 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.