2026 Best Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 125 area studies degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $64,851 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. More information about a degree in area studies from Georgetown University

2

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in area studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 37 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $67,532 in their early career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Get the full area studies details for Princeton University

3

Franklin And Marshall College
Lancaster, PA

Franklin And Marshall College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Franklin And Marshall College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $43,020 in their early career. Franklin And Marshall College graduates carry a median of $20,411 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for Franklin And Marshall College

4

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland University College one of the top schools for area studies. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 area studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Maryland University College earn around $48,650 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland University College graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Read more about the area studies program at University Of Maryland University College

5

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 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 Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 139 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. Read more about the area studies program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

6

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #6 among the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 area studies degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $73,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in area studies from George Washington University

7

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #7 position for area studies this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 16 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for Syracuse University

8

Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College came in at #8 for area studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. About 27 area studies degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Barnard College earn around $34,142 in the first couple years of their career. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for Barnard College

9

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $43,831. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. See the full area studies program report for Cornell University

10

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for area studies this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn around $44,294 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,395 to complete this degree. Get the full area studies details for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

11

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #11 among the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Towson University awarded about 11 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Towson University earn around $50,370 in the first couple years of their career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Read more about the area studies program at Towson University

12

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #12 for area studies this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 31 area studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $24,699 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Get the full area studies details for University Of Maryland College Park

13

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #13 position for area studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 81 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 $41,903. Students borrow a median of $22,486 to complete this degree. See the full area studies program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

14

Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best area studies schools. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Dickinson College graduates 80% of students within six years. About 22 area studies degrees were awarded at Dickinson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Dickinson College earn around $32,722 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,802 to complete this degree. See the full area studies program report for Dickinson College

15

Fordham University
Bronx, NY

Fordham University placed #15 among the best area studies schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their area studies degree from Fordham University earn around $40,811 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,884. Get the full area studies details for Fordham University

16

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #16 for area studies this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 95 area studies students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Area Studies graduates of New York University earn a median of $51,233 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250. More information about a degree in area studies from New York University

17

Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College came in at #17 for area studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. Vassar College awarded about 12 area studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the area studies program make about $22,741 in their early career. Vassar College graduates carry a median of $18,486 in student loans. Read more about the area studies program at Vassar College

18

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #18 position for area studies this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, area studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $21,409. Typical student debt for the program is $25,973. See the full area studies program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick