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.
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.
Leading the list is The University Of Alabama, our #1 for area studies graduate salaries in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of about $83,580 a year early in their careers.
College Of William And Mary produces some of the highest-paid graduates in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of William And Mary is a public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Area Studies graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of about $75,576 a year early in their careers.
Emory University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in area studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Area Studies graduates of Emory University earn a median of about $83,027 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in area studies will find them at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Area Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of about $49,465 a year early in their careers.
Tulane University Of Louisiana produces some of the highest-paid graduates in area studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,738.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #6 spot for area studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career area studies graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $57,540 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for area studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Students who complete the area studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,306.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for area studies. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $51,261 annually.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #9 position for area studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Early-career area studies graduates from University Of South Carolina Columbia make a median of around $32,064 per year.
Florida International University came in at #10 for area studies graduate earnings this year. Florida International University is a public school located in the suburb of Miami. After graduating, area studies degree recipients from Florida International University typically earn about $19,457 annually.
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 · 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.