Area Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their area studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 85 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for area studies students pursuing a degree.
The area studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Area Studies Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Area Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Area Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Area Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the area studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for area studies. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 area studies degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $83,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
Get the full area studies details for Duke University
A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for area studies. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 20 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
Get the full area studies details for Vanderbilt University
A rank of #3 makes Rice University one of the top schools for area studies. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 13 area studies degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
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Dartmouth College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Dartmouth College awarded about 38 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $48,565 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,520.
Read more about the area studies program at Dartmouth College
Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 22 area studies degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844.
See the full area studies program report for Purdue University Main Campus
Amherst College came in at #6 for area studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 area studies degrees were awarded at Amherst College in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $49,149 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398.
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University Of California Berkeley landed the #7 spot for area studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 54 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,728 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,972 to complete this degree.
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Georgetown University earned the #8 position for area studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 142 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $64,851 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
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Wellesley College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 area studies degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,231. Typical student debt for the program is $9,525.
See the full area studies program report for Wellesley College
University Of Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans.
Get the full area studies details for University Of Florida
Wesleyan University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 77 area studies degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $39,764 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
See the full area studies program report for Wesleyan University
Stanford University came in at #12 for area studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 60 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at Stanford University
Trinity College landed the #13 spot for area studies this year. Set in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Trinity College in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. Trinity College graduates carry a median of $23,667 in student loans.
See the full area studies program report for Trinity College
Yale University placed #14 among the best area studies schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Yale University earn around $55,618 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
More information about a degree in area studies from Yale University
University Of Southern California ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 25 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $75,677 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
See the full area studies program report for University Of Southern California
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 107 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,955. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
Read more about the area studies program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
College Of William And Mary landed the #17 spot for area studies this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 27 area studies degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $53,779 in the first couple years of their career. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans.
See the full area studies program report for College Of William And Mary
Occidental College came in at #18 for area studies this year. Occidental College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Occidental College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $41,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete this degree.
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Washington University In St Louis earned the #19 position for area studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 33 area studies degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $30,716 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
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Indiana University Bloomington placed #20 among the best area studies schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 area studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Utah placed #21 among the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 23 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798.
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University Of Kentucky earned the #22 position for area studies this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 19 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Kentucky
University Of Notre Dame earned the #23 position for area studies this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 21 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $35,304 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Notre Dame
Harvard University landed the #24 spot for area studies this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 91 area studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Read more about the area studies program at Harvard University
Brown University placed #25 among the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 area studies degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Brown University earn around $39,165 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in area studies from Brown University
Rest of the Top 50 Area Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s area studies ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 85 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
