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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

1 Colleges in the United States
$17,844 Avg Student Debt
$87,705 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Area Studies, Other Master's Degree Badge [Area Studies, Other](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/area-studies-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for area studies, other students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the area studies, other degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools

1
Stanford University crest
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. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies, other schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $14,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $44,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in area studies, other will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the area studies, other program here. 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.

4

Students looking for strong value in area studies, other will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,050 to complete the area studies, other program here. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,332. Set against $22,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

5

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies, other schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Area Studies, Other graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

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6
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #6 among the best values for area studies, other. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the area studies, other program here. Area Studies, Other graduates of Yale University earn a median of $55,618 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

7
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University earned the #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Early-career area studies, other graduates make about $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.

8
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #8 position for value in area studies, other 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. Area Studies, Other graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

9
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #9 among the best values for area studies, other. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $23,935. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. Set against $23,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.

Other Area Studies, Other Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Area Studies, Other rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Area Studies, Other
Associate's Degrees in Area Studies, Other
Bachelor's Degrees in Area Studies, Other
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View All Area Studies, Other Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 100 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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