2027 Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools to find the best for area studies students.
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Best Schools for Area Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall area studies education in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Top Schools in Area Studies
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the best school in the country for a degree in area studies. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 142 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Georgetown University earn around $64,851 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
See the full area studies program report for Georgetown University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland University College one of the top schools for area studies. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland University College awarded about 52 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $48,650 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,276 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for University Of Maryland University College
Syracuse University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans.
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A rank of #4 makes Barnard College one of the top schools for area studies. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Barnard College awarded about 27 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $34,142. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at Barnard College
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Slippery Rock. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 23 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $24,395 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
George Washington University landed the #6 spot for area studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 area studies students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for George Washington University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 126 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
Get the full area studies details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Cornell University landed the #8 spot for area studies this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 35 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for Cornell University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 87 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $41,903 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Towson University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 area studies degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $50,370 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for Towson University
Dickinson College landed the #11 spot for area studies this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Dickinson College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $32,722. Dickinson College graduates carry a median of $19,802 in student loans.
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Fordham University landed the #12 spot for area studies this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. Fordham University awarded about 16 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $40,811 in their early career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $26,884 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at Fordham University
Stony Brook University earned the #13 position for area studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stony Brook University awarded about 12 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at Stony Brook University
American University placed #14 among the best area studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 12 area studies students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from American University earn around $43,671 in the first couple years of their career. American University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full area studies details for American University
New York University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 88 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $51,233 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full area studies details for New York University
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 area studies degrees were awarded at Suny College At Old Westbury in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Suny College At Old Westbury earn around $44,443 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,274.
See the full area studies program report for Suny College At Old Westbury
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 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.