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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in Massachusetts

26 Ranked Colleges
424 Degrees Awarded
$35,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 6,966 people earned their degree in area studies, making the major the 115th most popular in the United States. 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 Massachusetts, there were 424 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,357 and $17,306 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Massachusetts” 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts

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

Top 26 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in Massachusetts

1
Smith crest
Smith College
Northampton, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Smith College. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts. Smith College is a small school located in Northampton, Massachusetts that handed out 34 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Smith

2
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Williams College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts. This small school is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and it awarded 24 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Williams Area Studies Report

3
Wellesley crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wellesley College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. Wellesley College is a small school located in Wellesley, Massachusetts that handed out 23 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, 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%.

Full Wellesley Area Studies Report

4
Brandeis crest
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Brandeis University landed the #4 spot on the list. Brandeis University is a medium-sized school located in Waltham, Massachusetts that handed out 70 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Brandeis

5
Amherst crest
Amherst College
Amherst, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Amherst College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts. This small school is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and it awarded 12 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Area Studies at Amherst

6
Mt. Holyoke crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. This small school is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and it awarded 17 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. 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.

Read more about Area Studies at Mt. Holyoke

7
Stonehill crest
Stonehill College
Easton, Massachusetts

Stonehill College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #7. Stonehill College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Easton, Massachusetts. It awarded 13 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Stonehill College Area Studies Report

8
Hampshire crest
Hampshire College
Amherst, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #8, Hampshire College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. Hampshire is a small school located in Amherst, Massachusetts that handed out 3 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Area Studies at Hampshire

9
Wheaton College Massachusetts crest
Wheaton College Massachusetts
Norton, Massachusetts

Wheaton College Massachusetts ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Norton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Area Studies at Wheaton College Massachusetts

10
Holy Cross crest
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, Massachusetts

College of the Holy Cross ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. College of the Holy Cross is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. It awarded 10 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Area Studies at Holy Cross

11
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Area Studies at Harvard University

12
Simon's Rock crest
Bard College at Simon's Rock
Great Barrington, Massachusetts

Bard College at Simon’s Rock came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. Bard College at Simon’s Rock is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. It awarded 1 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Simon’s Rock

13
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. Tufts is located in Medford, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 full report on Area Studies at Tufts

14

University of Massachusetts - Boston landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. This fairly large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 20 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Area Studies at UMass Boston

15
Clark crest
Clark University
Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 5 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Area Studies at Clark

16
Assumption crest
Assumption University
Worcester, Massachusetts

Assumption University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. This small school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 2 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Assumption University

17
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. Springfield College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Springfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 2 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Springfield College Area Studies Report

18
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. Boston U is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 30 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Boston U

19
Simmons crest
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. Simmons University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 4 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Read full report on Area Studies at Simmons University

20
Western New England crest
Western New England University
Springfield, Massachusetts

Western New England University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Western New England

21
UMass Amherst crest
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students 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 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 UMass Amherst Area Studies Report

22

University of Massachusetts - Lowell ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. Lowell, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

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 UMass Lowell Area Studies Report

23
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and it awarded 2 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full Boston College Area Studies Report

24
Northeastern crest
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #24. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Northeastern

25
Suffolk crest
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #25, Suffolk University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. Suffolk is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

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 Suffolk

25
Emmanuel Boston crest
Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #25, Emmanuel College Massachusetts did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Massachusetts list. Emmanuel Boston is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 0 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at Emmanuel College Massachusetts

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