Area Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 512 schools to find the best for area studies students.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for area studies. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 63 area studies degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $83,388 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at Duke University
Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Get the full area studies details for Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 125 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $64,851 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for Georgetown University
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for area studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 58 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $50,728. Students borrow a median of $14,972 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at University Of California Berkeley
Stanford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 26 area studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for Stanford University
Dartmouth College placed #6 among the best area studies schools. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 21 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,520.
More information about a degree in area studies from Dartmouth College
Wesleyan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Middletown. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 47 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $39,764 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
Get the full area studies details for Wesleyan University
Wellesley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. About 14 area studies degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Wellesley College earn around $43,231 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,525 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at Wellesley College
Princeton University landed the #9 spot for area studies this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 area studies degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
More information about a degree in area studies from Princeton University
Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 15 area studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
More information about a degree in area studies from Harvard University
College Of William And Mary ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 21 area studies degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,779 early in their careers. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at College Of William And Mary
Yale University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $55,618. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in area studies from Yale University
University Of Southern California ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $75,677 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Get the full area studies details for University Of Southern California
Williams College came in at #14 for area studies this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 area studies degrees were awarded at Williams College in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Williams College earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,615.
Read more about the area studies program at Williams College
Amherst College came in at #15 for area studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Amherst. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. Amherst College awarded about 11 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $49,149 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,398.
More information about a degree in area studies from Amherst College
University Of Utah placed #16 among the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 15 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798.
Read more about the area studies program at University Of Utah
Franklin And Marshall College earned the #17 position for area studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lancaster. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Franklin And Marshall College awarded about 10 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College generally make around $43,020. Students borrow a median of $20,411 to complete this degree.
Read more about the area studies program at Franklin And Marshall College
Washington University In St Louis placed #18 among the best area studies schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 16 area studies degrees 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.
See the full area studies program report for Washington University In St Louis
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 118 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $43,668 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $14,922 in student loans.
More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California San Diego came in at #20 for area studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 14 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $60,797 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,300.
More information about a degree in area studies from University Of California San Diego
Brown University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 30 area studies degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. Brown University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at Brown University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 98 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,955. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
See the full area studies program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Kentucky earned the #23 position for area studies this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 16 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $49,568 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree.
See the full area studies program report for University Of Kentucky
University Of Maryland University College placed #24 among the best area studies schools. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. University Of Maryland University College graduates 20% of students within six years. About 49 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $48,650 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,276.
See the full area studies program report for University Of Maryland University College
University Of Notre Dame landed the #25 spot for area studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. About 22 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $35,304 early in their careers. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans.
Read more about the area studies program at University Of Notre Dame
Rest of the Top 50 Area Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s area studies ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 512 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).
