2026 Best Value Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in area studies, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

3

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

A rank of #3 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. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #4 place for area studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. 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. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for area studies. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $14,922 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $44,276. Set against $14,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

6

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for area studies. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #7 for value in area studies this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for area studies value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $17,746. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,819. Set against $17,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

9

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #9 for value in area studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $21,544. Early-career area studies graduates make about $19,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

10

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #10 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the area studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.

11

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #11 among the best values for area studies. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

12

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #12 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $26,020. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $22,050. Area Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,050 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #14 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $20,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $20,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #15 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Area Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $31,480 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

16

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $24,546. Early-career area studies graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

17

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #17 among the best values for area studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. Early-career area studies graduates make about $46,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #18 spot for area studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $38,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

19

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #19 for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $22,486 to complete the area studies program here. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $42,327. That is a strong return on a $22,486 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

20

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University landed the #20 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for area studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

21

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #21 among the best values for area studies. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $55,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

22

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University landed the #22 spot for area studies value this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.

23

New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #23 position for value in area studies this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $51,233. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

24

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University earned the #24 position for value in area studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Area Studies graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $64,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco came in at #25 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete the area studies program here. Area Studies graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $65,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,935 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.