Bachelor’s Degrees in Area Studies
Education Levels of Area Studies Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 3,649 people earned their bachelor's degree in area studies. This makes it the 84th most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in area studies at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 3,649 |
| Master’s Degree | 1,407 |
| Basic Certificate | 499 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 293 |
| Associate Degree | 165 |
| Graduate Certificate | 131 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 26 |
Earnings of Area Studies Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in area studies is $34,211. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $29,424 to a high of $43,668.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in area studies is $22,231. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $26,679 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $22,231.
Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $264.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in area studies. About 67.8% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 1,176 |
| Women | 2,473 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of area studies bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 412 |
| Black or African American | 239 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 677 |
| White | 1,704 |
| International Students | 249 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 368 |
Most Popular Area Studies Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 420 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in area studies. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for area studies majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Each year, around 30,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,019 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,552 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 219 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from UNC Chapel Hill. About 77% of this group were women, and 45% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill area studies graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,211.
University of Washington - Seattle Campus comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Roughly 48,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,524 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $17,514 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 159 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from UW Seattle. Of these students, 65% were women and 39% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Washington - Seattle Campus area studies graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,211.
The 3rd most popular school in the country for area studies majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of California - Berkeley. Roughly 42,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 96 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from UC Berkeley. Of these students, 67% were women and 53% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in area studies at University of California - Berkeley make a median salary of 34,211.
University of California - Los Angeles comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Roughly 44,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 92 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from UCLA. Around 51% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 59% were women. Data shows that UCLA graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Roughly 0 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,096 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,706 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 81 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Around 30% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 43% were women. Data shows that Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
The 6th most popular school in the country for area studies majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Wesleyan University. Each year, around 3,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,716 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $66,716 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 79 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Wesleyan U. Around 35% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 70% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in area studies at Wesleyan University make a median salary of 34,211.
Brown University is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in area studies. Each year, around 9,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $65,656 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $65,656 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 74 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Brown. Of these students, 79% were women and 55% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Brown graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
University of Missouri - Columbia comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Roughly 31,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,008 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,000 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 70 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Mizzou. Of these students, 66% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Mizzou graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
Brigham Young University - Provo comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Each year, around 36,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,496 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,096 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 69 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from BYU. Of these students, 51% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Brigham Young University - Provo area studies graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,211.
Brandeis University comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Roughly 5,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,348 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $61,458 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 64 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Brandeis. Around 25% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 71% were women. Brandeis University area studies graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $34,211.
Columbia University in the City of New York is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in area studies. Roughly 30,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,526 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,576 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 64 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Columbia. Of these students, 50% were women and 44% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Columbia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
The 12th most popular school in the country for area studies majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is The University of Texas at Austin. Each year, around 50,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 62 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from UT Austin. Of these students, 66% were women and 46% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UT Austin graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
Virginia Commonwealth University is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in area studies. Each year, around 29,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,850 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,404 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 60 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from VCU. About 89% of this group were women, and 52% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in area studies at Virginia Commonwealth University make a median salary of 34,211.
Fordham University is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in area studies. Each year, around 16,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,335 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $25,080 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 59 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Fordham U. Around 39% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 74% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in area studies at Fordham University make a median salary of 34,211.
Miami University - Oxford comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Roughly 18,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,052 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,932 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 56 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Miami University - Oxford. Of these students, 53% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Miami University - Oxford graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
California State University - Fullerton comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Each year, around 42,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 51 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Cal State Fullerton. Of these students, 70% were women and 74% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in area studies at California State University - Fullerton make a median salary of 34,211.
Emory University comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in area studies. Each year, around 13,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,920 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $46,800 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 51 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Emory. About 65% of this group were women, and 43% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in area studies at Emory University make a median salary of 34,211.
William & Mary is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in area studies. Roughly 8,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,253 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,905 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 51 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from William & Mary. Of these students, 68% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in area studies at William & Mary make a median salary of 34,211.
Bowdoin College is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in area studies. Roughly 1,700 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 51 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Bowdoin. Of these students, 69% were women and 51% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Bowdoin graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
Dartmouth College is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in area studies. Roughly 6,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,684 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $63,684 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 49 people received their bachelor's degree in area studies from Dartmouth. About 59% of this group were women, and 56% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Dartmouth graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $34,211.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to area studies that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Ethnic Studies | 4,986 |
| Other Culture & Gender Studies | 34 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By Karl Udo Gerth under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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