2026 Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Area Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 512 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Area Studies master's degree schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. See the full Georgetown University profile
A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top choices in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. The median Area Studies program debt is $13,296. Get the full Duke University report
Brown 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 Providence, RI. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical Area Studies student debt is $12,000. More on Brown University
The strong Area Studies programs at Stanford University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Area Studies program here. See the full Stanford University profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Area Studies students take on a median of $16,984 in debt. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Area Studies students take on a median of $14,972 in debt. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
College Of William And Mary placed #7 among Area Studies schools in the United States. College Of William And Mary is a public school based in Williamsburg, VA. College Of William And Mary posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. The median Area Studies program debt is $15,250. More on College Of William And Mary
Cornell University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Read more about Cornell University
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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Area Studies student debt is $20,850. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. George Washington University Area Studies students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. Read more about George Washington University
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. The median Area Studies program debt is $22,486. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Brandeis University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Set in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brandeis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Typical Area Studies student debt is $26,000. More on Brandeis University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #15 in this year's ranking. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $22,050 in student loans. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Yale University placed #16 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. The median Area Studies program debt is $14,357. Get the full Yale University report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their Area Studies program here. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. University Of Virginia Main Campus Area Studies students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical Area Studies student debt is $21,577. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Area Studies program debt is $17,669. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete their Area Studies program here. Get the full University Of Delaware report
University Of San Francisco came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Typical Area Studies student debt is $23,935. Read the full report on University Of San Francisco
San Diego State University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. The median Area Studies program debt is $16,417. See the full San Diego State University profile
University Of California Davis landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $14,167 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Davis
Trinity College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Set in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. The median Area Studies program debt is $23,667. Read the full report on Trinity College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Area Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of California San Diego ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. University Of California San Diego Area Studies students take on a median of $11,300 in debt. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
University Of Iowa landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical Area Studies student debt is $27,000. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete their Area Studies program here. Get the full University Of Illinois At Chicago report
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical Area Studies student debt is $17,746. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Arizona ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median Area Studies program debt is $24,500. More on University Of Arizona
New York University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. The median Area Studies program debt is $19,250. Read the full report on New York University
University Of Chicago placed #32 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Area Studies program here. Read more about University Of Chicago
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,710 in student loans. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
California State University Long Beach ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a public school based in Long Beach, CA. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. California State University Long Beach Area Studies students take on a median of $15,697 in debt. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach
Syracuse University placed #35 among Area Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Syracuse, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical Area Studies student debt is $26,130. Read the full report on Syracuse University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, 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
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical Area Studies student debt is $22,697. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #38 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Set in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete their Area Studies program here. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of Colorado Boulder did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. University Of Colorado Boulder Area Studies students take on a median of $20,373 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Hawaii At Manoa did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical Area Studies student debt is $25,000. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
University Of Connecticut landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. University Of Connecticut posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete their Area Studies program here. See the full University Of Connecticut profile
Florida State University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Florida State University is a public school based in Tallahassee, FL. Florida State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Florida State University Area Studies students take on a median of $20,488 in debt. Get the full Florida State University report
California State University Fullerton placed #43 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Based in Fullerton, CA, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. California State University Fullerton Area Studies students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. Read more about California State University Fullerton
Suny At Albany ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Area Studies schools. Based in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. Suny At Albany graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $22,305 to complete their Area Studies program here. See the full Suny At Albany profile
Ohio State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #45 position. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Area Studies students take on a median of $22,053 in debt. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Oregon placed #46 among Area Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Eugene, OR. University Of Oregon posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,251 in student loans. Get the full University Of Oregon report
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #47 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Based in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. University Of South Florida Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Read more about University Of South Florida Main Campus
Rutgers University Newark landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Rutgers University Newark graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Rutgers University Newark Area Studies students take on a median of $25,065 in debt. Read the full report on Rutgers University Newark
University Of California Riverside placed #49 among Area Studies schools in the United States. Set in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. University Of California Riverside posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. University Of New Mexico Main Campus Area Studies students take on a median of $19,250 in debt. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
Related Area Studies Rankings
Explore 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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