2026 Best Area Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Area Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their area studies programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for area studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Area Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall area studies education in the Rocky Mountains Region.
Top Schools in Area Studies
University Of Utah is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in area studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. About 27 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Utah earn around $60,527 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at University Of Utah
Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 38 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $37,019 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,236.
Read more about the area studies program at Brigham Young University Provo
University Of Wyoming is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. University Of Wyoming awarded about 13 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $49,890 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Wyoming
Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Utah State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Utah State University graduates 57% of students within six years. Utah State University awarded about 30 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $31,894. Utah State University graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at Utah State University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 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.
