2026 Best Value Area Studies Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value area studies schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for area studies. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for area studies. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $14,430. Area Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

4

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $29,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the best values for area studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,697 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,591. Set against $15,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #7 for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,300 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

8

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #8 spot for area studies value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

9

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming landed the #9 spot for area studies value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

10

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #10 spot for area studies value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

11

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #11 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,955. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

12

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #12 among the best values for area studies. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,922 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $43,972. That is a strong return on a $14,922 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

13

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #13 position for value in area studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $21,842. Area Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #14 spot for area studies value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $14,972 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $50,728. Set against $14,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

15

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College came in at #15 for value in area studies this year. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $12,615. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $38,595. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for area studies. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies schools. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $23,276 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $48,650. That is a strong return on a $23,276 median debt.

18

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #18 for value in area studies this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

19

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #19 among the best values for area studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

20

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $10,236 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $37,019. Set against $10,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

21

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University earned the #21 position for value in area studies this year. 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. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies 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.

22

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #22 for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $21,710. Area Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

23

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #23 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $32,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,984 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

24

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #24 among the best values for area studies. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $21,544. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $19,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

25

Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA

Coastline Community College earned the #25 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Fountain Valley, Coastline Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $11,612. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,483 ten years after entry.