2027 Best Area Studies Schools in the New England 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.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best area studies schools.
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Best Schools for Area Studies in the New England 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
Our analysis ranked Dartmouth College the best school in the country for a degree in area studies. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. About 38 area studies degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Dartmouth College earn around $48,565 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,520 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at Dartmouth College
Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Amherst College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 21 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Amherst College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Amherst College earn around $49,149 in the first couple years of their career. Amherst College graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at Amherst College
A rank of #3 makes Wellesley College one of the top schools for area studies. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wellesley. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wellesley College awarded about 12 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $43,231 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,525.
Read more about the area studies program at Wellesley College
Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Wesleyan University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wesleyan University awarded about 77 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree.
Get the full area studies details for Wesleyan University
A rank of #5 makes Trinity College one of the top schools for area studies. Set in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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.
Get the full area studies details for Trinity College
Yale University landed the #6 spot for area studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 77 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $55,618. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
Get the full area studies details for Yale University
Harvard University earned the #7 position for area studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 area studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full area studies program report for Harvard University
Brown University came in at #8 for area studies this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 44 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in area studies from Brown University
Middlebury College landed the #9 spot for area studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Middlebury. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Middlebury College earn around $40,467 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,593.
Read more about the area studies program at Middlebury College
Williams College placed #10 among the best area studies schools. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Williams College awarded about 17 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Williams College earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at Williams College
Bowdoin College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bowdoin College graduates 95% of students within six years. About 23 area studies degrees were awarded at Bowdoin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $45,315. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for Bowdoin College
Connecticut College landed the #12 spot for area studies this year. Set in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Connecticut College awarded about 17 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Connecticut College earn a median of $43,358 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,220.
See the full area studies program report for Connecticut College
Smith College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best area studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Northampton. Smith College graduates 89% of students within six years. About 18 area studies degrees were awarded at Smith College in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $29,878 in their early career. Smith College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Get the full area studies details for Smith College
Brandeis University placed #14 among the best area studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waltham. About 86% of students finish within six years. Brandeis University awarded about 32 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $43,748. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in area studies from Brandeis University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 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.