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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in Pennsylvania

32 Ranked Colleges
402 Degrees Awarded
$33,000 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Area Studies is the 115th most popular major in the country with 6,966 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, area studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $33,127 and had an average of $20,927 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 402 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,515 and $25,785 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania” ranking analyzed 32 colleges that offered a degree in area studies. That schools that top this list have a program in area studies in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The area studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania”.

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 Pennsylvania

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania”.

Top 32 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in Pennsylvania

1
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Out of the 32 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Dickinson College landed the #1 spot on the list. Dickinson is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It awarded 26 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 1.9% 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%.

Full Dickinson Area Studies Report

2
Franklin and Marshall crest
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Franklin and Marshall College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Franklin and Marshall College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Franklin and Marshall

3
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Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Out of the 32 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Bucknell University landed the #3 spot on the list. Bucknell is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. 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 more about Area Studies at Bucknell

4
Muhlenberg crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Out of the 32 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Muhlenberg College landed the #4 spot on the list. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 11 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Muhlenberg

5
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Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Gettysburg College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania. Gettysburg College is a small school located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 11 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, 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.

Full Gettysburg College Area Studies Report

6
Lincoln crest
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

Lincoln University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Lincoln University is a small public school situated in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. It awarded 6 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Area Studies at Lincoln University

7
Swarthmore crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #7, Swarthmore College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Area Studies at Swarthmore College

8
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Ursinus College
Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Ursinus College ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Collegeville, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Ursinus College Area Studies Report

9
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #9, Lafayette College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Lafayette is located in Easton, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at Lafayette College

10
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 11 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Millersville

11
Bryn Mawr crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #11. Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Bryn Mawr

12
Haverford crest
Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania

Haverford College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Haverford College

13
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. La Salle University is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 6 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at La Salle University

14
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UPenn

15
Albright crest
Albright College
Reading, Pennsylvania

Albright College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Albright is a private not-for-profit institution located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Area Studies at Albright

16
Kutztown University crest
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #16, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Area Studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

17
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Lehigh University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Lehigh University Area Studies Report

18

With a ranking of #18, Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Area Studies at IUP

19
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #19, Temple University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 16 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Temple Area Studies Report

20
Arcadia crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #20, Arcadia University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Arcadia is a small school located in Glenside, Pennsylvania that handed out 1 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%.

Full Arcadia University Area Studies Report

21
St. Joe's crest
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saint Joseph’s University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #21. Saint Joseph’s University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at St. Joe’s

22

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. This large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 154 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, 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 93%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

23
Pitt Greensburg crest
University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg
Greensburg, Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #23. Pitt Greensburg is a small school located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 0 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Pitt Greensburg Area Studies Report

23
King's College PA crest
King's College
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

King’s College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 0 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Full King’s College Area Studies Report

23
University of Scranton crest
University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania

University of Scranton landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. University of Scranton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 0 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Scranton

23
Lycoming crest
Lycoming College
Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Lycoming College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #23. Lycoming College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 more about Area Studies at Lycoming

23
Moravian crest
Moravian College
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Moravian College ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Moravian is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Moravian College

23
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 0 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Area Studies at Carnegie Mellon

23
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Duquesne University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 0 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Duquesne University Area Studies Report

23
Cabrini University crest
Cabrini University
Radnor, Pennsylvania

Cabrini University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Radnor, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 0 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Area Studies at Cabrini University

23
Mercyhurst crest
Mercyhurst University
Erie, Pennsylvania

Mercyhurst University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 0 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

Full Mercyhurst University Area Studies Report

23
Bucks County Community College crest
Bucks County Community College
Newtown, Pennsylvania

Bucks County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #23. Newtown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

Full Bucks County Community College Area Studies Report

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