2026 Best Value Area Studies, Other Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for area studies, other in the United States. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Area Studies, Other graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area studies, other, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $11,300. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for area studies, other. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $13,000. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $31,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies, other schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $14,922. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $43,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,922 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

5

Utah State University
Logan, UT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #5 place for area studies, other. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $31,894. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in area studies, other this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $23,819. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

7

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies, other schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $22,697. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $45,488. Set against $22,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies, other schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $22,050. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,332. That is a strong return on a $22,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

9

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #9 spot for area studies, other value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $24,250. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $44,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #10 spot for area studies, other value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $35,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

11

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary earned the #11 position for value in area studies, other this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,779. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies, other schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the area studies, other program here. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $32,064 early in their careers. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

13

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #13 spot for area studies, other value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Area Studies, Other graduates of Yale University earn a median of $55,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #14 spot for area studies, other value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the area studies, other program here. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

15

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University earned the #15 position for value in area studies, other this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.

16

New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #16 spot for area studies, other value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $64,516. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

17

Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College placed #17 among the best values for area studies, other. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the area studies, other program here. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $34,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.