2026 Best Area Studies Schools in Washington

Area Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best area studies schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Area Studies Schools in Washington

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Featured Area Studies Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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Best Schools for Area Studies in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall area studies education in Washington.

Top Schools in Area Studies

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

152 Area Studies Degrees Awarded

$43,972 Median Starting Salary

Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 school for area studies. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 152 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $43,972 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,922 to complete this degree. Read more about the area studies program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

10 Area Studies Degrees Awarded

$33,103 Median Starting Salary

A rank of #2 makes Western Washington University one of the top schools for area studies. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Western Washington University earn around $33,103 in the first couple years of their career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $15,655 in student loans. Read more about the area studies program at Western Washington University

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.