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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in New York

48 Ranked Colleges
$32,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Area Studies is the 115th most popular major in the country with 6,257 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , area studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $33,127 and had an average of $22,500 in loans still to pay off.

Across New York, there were 663 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,568 and $25,878 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York” ranking, we looked at 48 colleges that offer a degree in area studies. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their area studies program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York

The colleges and universities below are the best for new york area studies students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in New York

1
Barnard crest
Barnard College
New York, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Barnard College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. New York, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 28 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Area Studies at Barnard

2
Houghton crest
Houghton College
Houghton, New York

Out of the 48 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York that were part of this year’s ranking, Houghton College landed the #2 spot on the list. Houghton College is located in Houghton, New York and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Houghton Area Studies Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. The Colleges is a small school located in Geneva, New York that handed out 17 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Area Studies at The Colleges

4
Vassar crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Out of the 48 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York that were part of this year’s ranking, Vassar College landed the #4 spot on the list. Vassar is a private not-for-profit institution located in Poughkeepsie, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Area Studies at Vassar College

5
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colgate University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. Hamilton, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 18 students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Colgate

6
Hamilton crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, New York

Hamilton College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. Located in Clinton, New York, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Hamilton Area Studies Report

7
Skidmore crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, New York

With a ranking of #7, Skidmore College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. Skidmore College is a small school located in Saratoga Springs, New York that handed out 14 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Skidmore College

8
Fordham U crest
Fordham University
Bronx, New York

Fordham University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. Bronx, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 38 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Fordham University Area Studies Report

9
Union College crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, New York

Union College New York landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. Union College is a small school located in Schenectady, New York that handed out 10 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Union College

10

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 107 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 99%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York

11
SUNY Old Westbury crest
SUNY Old Westbury
Old Westbury, New York

SUNY Old Westbury came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. Located in Old Westbury, New York, this small public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at SUNY Old Westbury

12
Fisher crest
St. John Fisher College
Rochester, New York

St. John Fisher College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. This small school is located in Rochester, New York, and it awarded 3 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Fisher Area Studies Report

13
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

New York University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. NYU is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 118 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full NYU Area Studies Report

14
SUNY New Paltz crest
SUNY New Paltz
New Paltz, New York

With a ranking of #14, SUNY New Paltz did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. This medium-sized school is located in New Paltz, New York, and it awarded 12 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at SUNY New Paltz

15
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Cornell University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking, coming in at #15. Cornell University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 57 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Cornell Area Studies Report

16
Siena crest
Siena College
Loudonville, New York

Siena College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. Loudonville, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 6 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Siena

17
UAlbany crest
University at Albany
Albany, New York

With a ranking of #17, University at Albany did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. Albany, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 18 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UAlbany

18
Manhattanville crest
Manhattanville College
Purchase, New York

Manhattanville College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. Located in Purchase, New York, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Manhattanville College Area Studies Report

19
Dominican College crest
Dominican College of Blauvelt
Orangeburg, New York

Dominican College of Blauvelt did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking, coming in at #19. Dominican College of Blauvelt is located in Orangeburg, New York and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Dominican College

20
Binghamton University crest
Binghamton University
Vestal, New York

Binghamton University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. This fairly large school is located in Vestal, New York, and it awarded 25 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Binghamton University

21
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York

Stony Brook University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. SUNY Stony Brook is a public institution located in Stony Brook, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at SUNY Stony Brook

22
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

Queens College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. QC is a fairly large school located in Queens, New York that handed out 19 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Queens College

23
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York

The Graduate Center, CUNY landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York ranking. The Graduate Center is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full The Graduate Center, CUNY Area Studies Report

24
Nazareth crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, New York

With a ranking of #24, Nazareth College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. Nazareth College is located in Rochester, New York and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Nazareth

25
SUNY Plattsburgh crest
SUNY Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, New York

SUNY Plattsburgh ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in New York list. This small school is located in Plattsburgh, New York, and it awarded 3 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SUNY Plattsburgh Area Studies Report

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