College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Area Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

10 Colleges in the United States
438 Area Studies Degrees Awarded
$42,610 Avg Early-Career Salary

Area Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best area studies schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Area Studies in the Great Lakes Region

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.

Top Schools in Area Studies

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. 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. More information about a degree in area studies from Purdue University Main Campus

2

Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $52,123 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete this degree. See the full area studies program report for Indiana University Bloomington

3

University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in area studies, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 21 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $35,304 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Notre Dame

4

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 50 area studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $49,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546. More information about a degree in area studies from Ohio University Main Campus

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for area studies. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 42 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $32,062 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $16,984 in student loans. Get the full area studies details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6

Miami University Oxford came in at #6 for area studies this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. About 20 area studies degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $50,637 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,552. Get the full area studies details for Miami University Oxford

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for area studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 177 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,850. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

University Of Chicago placed #8 among the best area studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 28 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $38,008 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Chicago

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #9 among the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 19 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,332 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,050 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

10
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College placed #10 among the best area studies schools. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Oberlin College awarded about 34 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $20,905 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,951. Read more about the area studies program at Oberlin College

Narrow Area Studies Schools by State

View All Area Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options