by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2024, College Factual analyzed 92 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 4,550 bachelor's degrees in area studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.
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The area studies bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality area studies program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for area studies students working on their bachelor's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in area studies. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Brown University is a great option for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in area studies. Located in the midsize city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Those area studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Brown University receive $5,978 more than the typical area studies student.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Brown University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a great choice for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in area studies. Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Columbia University in the City of New York
Dartmouth College is a wonderful decision for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in area studies. Dartmouth is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the remote town of Hanover.
Area Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Dartmouth College receive an earnings boost of around $15,809 above the average income of area studies graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Dartmouth College
Stanford University is a good option for students interested in a bachelor's degree in area studies. Stanford is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Stanford.More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Stanford University
Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Those area studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Duke University make $11,996 more than the average area studies graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Duke University
Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Georgetown University
Located in the medium-sized city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the area studies program state that they receive average early career earnings of $27,225.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Yale University
Bowdoin is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Brunswick.
Area Studies bachelor's degree recipients from Bowdoin College get an earnings boost of about $14,751 over the typical income of area studies majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Bowdoin College
Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.
Soon after graduating, area studies bachelor's recipients typically make about $27,258 in their early careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Emory University
Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca.
Soon after graduation, area studies bachelor's recipients usually earn around $30,086 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Cornell University
UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley.
Area Studies bachelor's degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley receive an earnings boost of around $8,880 above the typical earnings of area studies majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from University of California - Berkeley
Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Those area studies students who get their bachelor's degree from New York University make $13,329 more than the average area studies grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from New York University
Located in the city of New York, Barnard is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Those area studies students who get their bachelor's degree from Barnard College make $11,490 more than the average area studies graduate.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Barnard CollegeThese are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA |
| 15 | Wellesley College | Wellesley, MA |
| 16 | Brandeis University | Waltham, MA |
| 17 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin - Madison | Madison, WI |
| 19 | University of California - Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| 20 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC |
| 21 | Middlebury College | Middlebury, VT |
| 22 | William & Mary | Williamsburg, VA |
| 23 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI |
View the Best Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
Area Studies is one of 2 different types of Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American U.S. Studies | 1,041 |
| Asian Studies | 796 |
| Area Studies, Other | 634 |
| East Asian Studies | 413 |
| Latin American Studies | 386 |
| Near & Middle Eastern Studies | 209 |
| French Studies | 121 |
| African Studies | 112 |
| Russian Studies | 104 |
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 96 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ethnic Studies | 5,787 |
| Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Other) | 41 |
