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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the early-career earnings of their area studies graduates.
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.
Williams College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying area studies schools in Massachusetts. Williams College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Williams College typically earn about $88,619 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Wellesley College earned it the #2 place for area studies. Located 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.
Tufts University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in area studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,853.
Students chasing top earnings in area studies will find them at Brandeis University, which ranked #4. Located 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Amherst College earned it the #5 place for area studies. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,149.
Smith College landed the #6 spot for area studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Smith College typically earn about $51,070 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their area studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 6 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.