2027 Best Area Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Area Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best area studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Area Studies in the The Plains States 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
No school ranked higher than Washington University In St Louis this year for area studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $30,716 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
More information about a degree in area studies from Washington University In St Louis
Gustavus Adolphus College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 12 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197.
More information about a degree in area studies from Gustavus Adolphus College
Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 46 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $44,096 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in area studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $19,426 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Iowa
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 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.
