2026 Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools in the Southeast Region
[Area Studies, Other](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/area-studies-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for area studies, other students.
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Featured Area Studies, Other Programs
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2026 Best Value Area Studies, Other Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 list of the best value area studies, other schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for area studies, other graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,955. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in area studies, other will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in area studies, other will find it at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the area studies, other program here. Area Studies, Other graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Carolina Columbia earned it the #4 place for area studies, other. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Area Studies, Other graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Area Studies, Other graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $32,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Duke University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area studies, other, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the area studies, other program here. Soon after graduation, area studies, other degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- 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.
