by our College Data Analytics Team
[Area Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying area studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose area studies graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools in California. Located 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.
Students chasing top earnings in area studies will find them at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Area Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $66,870 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Riverside came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of about $44,474 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $55,602 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,726.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a public school located in the city of Long Beach. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach typically earn about $51,211 annually.
California State University Chico landed the #7 spot for area studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of about $46,659 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Irvine landed the #8 spot for area studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Early-career area studies graduates from University Of California Irvine make a median of around $30,897 per year.
California State University Northridge placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $26,793 annually.
University Of California Davis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $21,527 a year early in their careers.
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 · 10 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.