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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 21 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.
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. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from George Washington University typically earn about $84,682 annually.
Towson University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of about $69,096 a year early in their careers.
Cornell University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from Cornell University make a median of around $81,545 per year.
Fordham University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in area studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from Fordham University make a median of around $74,201 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Georgetown University earned it the #5 place for area studies. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,225.
American University earned the #6 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from American University make a median of around $67,023 per year.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public institution. Early-career area studies graduates from State University Of New York At New Paltz make a median of around $51,093 per year.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #8 spot for area studies salaries this year. University Of Maryland University College is a public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,650.
Temple University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Temple University is a public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Early-career area studies graduates from Temple University make a median of around $44,098 per year.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $45,846 annually.
Dickinson College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Set in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,883.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 spot for area studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,545.
New York University landed the #13 spot for area studies salaries this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career area studies graduates from New York University make a median of around $64,679 per year.
Hobart William Smith Colleges earned the #14 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,939.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #15 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $78,037 annually.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #16 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $50,038 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick typically earn about $58,538 annually.
Barnard College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Barnard College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Barnard College typically earn about $34,142 annually.
Suny At Albany ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools. Suny At Albany is a public school located in the city of Albany. Area Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of about $32,808 a year early in their careers.
Vassar College came in at #20 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,741.
Cuny Queens College placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Cuny Queens College is a public school located in the city of Queens. Early-career area studies graduates from Cuny Queens College make a median of around $16,733 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 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.