2026 Best Area Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Leading the list is Indiana University Bloomington, our #1 school for area studies. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 28 area studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Typical student debt for the program is $21,710. More information about a degree in area studies from Indiana University Bloomington

2

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

Students looking for a strong area studies program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Get the full area studies details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

3

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Read more about the area studies program at Ohio University Main Campus

4

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

A rank of #4 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top schools for area studies. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree. See the full area studies program report for University Of Notre Dame

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $32,062 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete this degree. Get the full area studies details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for area studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 124 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $59,877 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,850 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford came in at #7 for area studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 11 area studies degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $50,637. Typical student debt for the program is $20,552. See the full area studies program report for Miami University Oxford

8

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #8 for area studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 25 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $38,008. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Chicago

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #9 among the best area studies schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 25 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $24,332 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,050 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #10 among the best area studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $61,829 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Illinois At Chicago

11

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #11 position for area studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 22 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $46,561 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

12

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College came in at #12 for area studies this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 22 area studies degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $20,905 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,951 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in area studies from Oberlin College