2026 Best Value Area Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value area studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Long Beach one of 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. Area Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #4 place for area studies. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Students looking for strong value in area studies will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #5. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #6 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

7

Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA

Coastline Community College placed #7 among the best values for area studies. Located in the city of Fountain Valley, Coastline Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $14,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $43,972. That is a strong return on a $14,922 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

9

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #9 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the area studies program here. Early-career area studies graduates make about $26,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.

10

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #10 among the best values for area studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,819. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

11

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #11 for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $14,972. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,728 early in their careers. Set against $14,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

12

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value area studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $22,697 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Set against $22,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #13 among the best values for area studies. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $14,167 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $21,527. That is a strong return on a $14,167 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

14

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University placed #14 among the best values for area studies. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $15,655. Area Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $33,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,655 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #15 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.

16

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco came in at #16 for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies 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.