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Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts

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2023 Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts

10 Colleges
$35,357 Avg Salary
$17,306 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Area Studies School for You

Area Studies is the #77 most popular major in Massachusetts with 414 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This report analyzed 10 schools in Massachusetts to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts

The colleges and universities below are the best for area studies majors pursuing a .

Top 10 Best Area Studies Schools

#1

Williams College

Williamstown, MA

Our 2023 rankings named Williams College the best school in Massachusetts for area studies students. Williams is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown.

Read More…

#2

Amherst College

Amherst, MA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Amherst College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts list. Amherst is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Amherst.

Full Area Studies at Amherst College Report

#3

Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA

Out of the 10 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Wellesley College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Wellesley is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley.

After completing their degree, area studies graduates from Wellesley carry an average student debtload of $9,725.

Read full report on Area Studies at Wellesley College

#4

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA

The excellent programs at Brandeis University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best area studies schools in Massachusetts. Located in the small city of Waltham, Brandeis is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, area studies majors at Brandeis accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

Read full report on Area Studies at Brandeis University

#5

Tufts University

Medford, MA

Out of the 10 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Tufts University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Tufts is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford.

On average, area studies graduates from Tufts take out $13,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Area Studies at Tufts University

Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best area studies programs. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Norton.

Full Area Studies at Wheaton College Massachusetts Report

#7

Smith College

Northampton, MA

Smith College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in the suburb of Northampton, Smith is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, area studies graduates from Smith carry an average student debtload of $19,000.

Read More…

#8

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts list. Mt. Holyoke is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of South Hadley.

Full Area Studies at Mount Holyoke College Report

University of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #9 on this year’s Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in the suburb of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Full Area Studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst Report

University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for area studies students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the city of Boston, UMass Boston is a public college with a large student population.

Full Area Studies at University of Massachusetts - Boston Report

Best Area Studies Colleges in the New England Region

Explore all the Best Area Studies Colleges in the New England Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Connecticut 217
New Hampshire 60
Maine 75
Rhode Island 107
Vermont 45

More Area Studies Rankings in Massachusetts

One of 2 majors within the area of study, area studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Ethnic Studies 9,231
Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Other) 46

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 10 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Karl Udo Gerth.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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