2026 Best Area Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Area Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 512 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Area Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Georgetown University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. The median Area Studies program debt is $16,483. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Brown University came in at #2 on this year's Area Studies ranking in the United States. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Brown University Area Studies students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. See the full Brown University profile
Stanford University came in at #3 on this year's Area Studies ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read the full report on Stanford University
Out of the 512 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, College Of William And Mary landed the #4 spot. Located in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. College Of William And Mary Area Studies students take on a median of $15,250 in debt. Get the full College Of William And Mary report
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,972 to complete their Area Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Cornell University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. The median Area Studies program debt is $17,625. More on Cornell University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Area Studies students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Area Studies students take on a median of $20,850 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. George Washington University Area Studies students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. See the full George Washington University profile
Brandeis University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Located in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,080. Brandeis University Area Studies students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. More on Brandeis University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #12 in this year's ranking. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Area Studies student debt is $22,050. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Area Studies students take on a median of $14,922 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Yale University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read the full report on Yale University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #15 position. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Area Studies program debt is $13,000. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #16 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical Area Studies student debt is $21,577. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #17 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical Area Studies student debt is $16,984. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
New York University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Area Studies students take on a median of $19,250 in debt. See the full New York University profile
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. This public school is set in Bloomington, IN. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Graduates carry a median of $21,710 in student loans. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. The median Area Studies program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. The median Area Studies program debt is $20,115. Read more about University Of Illinois At Chicago
University Of Arizona came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. University Of Arizona Area Studies students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. More on University Of Arizona
University Of Hawaii At Manoa did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. The median Area Studies program debt is $25,000. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Rutgers University Newark did well this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. The median Area Studies program debt is $25,065. See the full Rutgers University Newark profile
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #25 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Set in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Read more about University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Area Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Linfield College
Linfield College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Get the full Linfield College report
Northern Michigan University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. More on Northern Michigan University
Catholic University Of America came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Catholic University Of America
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
Cuny Lehman College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. See the full Cuny Lehman College profile
Rhodes College
Rhodes College did well this year, earning the #31 position. See the full Rhodes College profile
Saddleback College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. More on Saddleback College
Gonzaga University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Read more about Gonzaga University
North Central College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Read more about North Central College
Siena College
Siena College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. See the full Siena College profile
University Of Portland did well this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about University Of Portland
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Read more about Brigham Young University Provo
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Get the full California State University Dominguez Hills report
Franklin Pierce University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Read more about Franklin Pierce University
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Read more about University Of South Florida Main Campus
Calvin College
Calvin College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. See the full Calvin College profile
Northeastern State University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Get the full Northeastern State University report
Foothill College
Foothill College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. More on Foothill College
Kennesaw State University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Get the full Kennesaw State University report
Reed College
Reed College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. More on Reed College
Fullerton College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Read more about Fullerton College
Indiana University Southeast landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Indiana University Southeast report
University Of Miami did well this year, earning the #49 position. Read the full report on University Of Miami
Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. See the full Big Sandy Community And Technical College profile
Related Area Studies Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Area Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Area Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Area Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Area Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Area Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 512 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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