2026 Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 ranking of the best area studies schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 70 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $50,728 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,972 to complete this degree. See the full area studies program report for University Of California Berkeley

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 53 area studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $100,827 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Get the full area studies details for Stanford University

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in area studies, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 23 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent 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

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $60,797 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of California San Diego

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 152 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $43,972 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,922. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

6

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #6 among the best area studies schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. About 17 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $65,223 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete this degree. Get the full area studies details for University Of San Francisco

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #7 position for area studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $23,819 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,746. Read more about the area studies program at University Of California Los Angeles

8

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #8 position for area studies this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 17 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of California Davis earn around $21,527 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,167 in student loans. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of California Davis

9

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #9 for area studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 17 area studies degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete this degree. See the full area studies program report for California State University Los Angeles

10

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #10 for area studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 area studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,591 early in their careers. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,697 in student loans. More information about a degree in area studies from California State University Long Beach

11

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #11 position for area studies this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 area studies degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in area studies from California State University Sacramento

12

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #12 among the best area studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 23 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $29,316 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the area studies program at California State University Fullerton

13

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #13 for area studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 11 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $22,697 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

14

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University landed the #14 spot for area studies this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 10 area studies degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $33,103. Students borrow a median of $15,655 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in area studies from Western Washington University

15

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #15 position for area studies this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $26,020 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the area studies program at University Of Hawaii At Manoa

16

Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA

Coastline Community College landed the #16 spot for area studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Fountain Valley. Coastline Community College awarded about 106 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. See the full area studies program report for Coastline Community College