2026 Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 school for area studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 60 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $83,388 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Read more about the area studies program at Duke University

2

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 50 area studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Area Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full area studies details for Harvard University

3

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 122 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Georgetown University earn around $64,851 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree. Read more about the area studies program at Georgetown University

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 16 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in area studies from University Of Florida

5

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Princeton University awarded about 15 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in area studies from Princeton University

6

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $55,618 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Read more about the area studies program at Yale University

7

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #7 position for area studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data 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. Read more about the area studies program at Stanford University

8

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $52,123 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,710. See the full area studies program report for Indiana University Bloomington

9

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #9 for area studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $49,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546. Read more about the area studies program at Ohio University Main Campus

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 48 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $44,276 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,922. Read more about the area studies program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

11

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 area studies degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. Brown University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full area studies details for Brown University

12

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #12 among the best area studies schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. See the full area studies program report for University Of San Francisco

13

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for area studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,819. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete this degree. See the full area studies program report for University Of California Los Angeles

14

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot for area studies this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 area studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $46,699 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

15

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #15 position for area studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 16 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. More information about a degree in area studies from California State University Los Angeles

16

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #16 among the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 87 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,850 to complete this degree. Get the full area studies details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

17

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. This very large public university is located in the town of University. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 16 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

18

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #18 for area studies this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 74 area studies degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $51,233. New York University graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in area studies from New York University

19

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #19 position for area studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 51 area studies degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $42,327. Typical student debt for the program is $22,486. More information about a degree in area studies from Columbia University In The City Of New York

20

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #20 for area studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Chicago earn around $38,008 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. Read more about the area studies program at University Of Chicago

21

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 14 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $24,332 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,050 in student loans. Read more about the area studies program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

22

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #22 for area studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $61,829 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. See the full area studies program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

23

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #23 spot for area studies this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $31,480. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Get the full area studies details for University Of Arizona

24

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #24 among the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. University Of Hawaii At Manoa awarded about 21 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $26,020 in their early career. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for University Of Hawaii At Manoa

25

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #25 spot for area studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $19,457 early in their careers. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $21,544 in student loans. Get the full area studies details for Florida International University