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Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

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2023 Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

419 Colleges
$31,493 Avg Salary
$20,522 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Area Studies Bachelor's Degree School for You

Area Studies is the #112 most popular major in the country with 6,966 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. This report analyzed 419 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Area Studies program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Colleges.

Our 2023 rankings named University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill the most popular school in the United States for area studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the small city of Chapel Hill.

Women make up 74% of the area studies majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, area studies majors at UNC Chapel Hill accumulate an average of around $14,716 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $211, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

The in-demand bachelor’s degree programs at University of Washington - Seattle Campus helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular area studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 72% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 28% are male.

The average amount in student loans that area studies majors at UW Seattle take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $17,617.

Full Area Studies at University of Washington - Seattle Campus Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of California - Berkeley is a great place for area studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. UC Berkeley is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Berkeley.

Of the 96 students majoring in area studies at UC Berkeley, 48% are male and 52% are female.

The average amount in student loans that area studies majors at UC Berkeley take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $17,653.

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The in-demand bachelor’s degree programs at University of California - Los Angeles helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular area studies schools in the United States. UCLA is a fairly large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Of the 92 students majoring in area studies at UCLA, 47% are male and 53% are female.

Area Studies majors at UCLA take out an average of $17,916 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Area Studies at University of California - Los Angeles Report

Out of the 419 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Fort-Worth, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Of the 81 students majoring in area studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 79% are male and 21% are female.

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#6

Wesleyan University

Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for area studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan U is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

About 77% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 23% are male.

Full Area Studies at Wesleyan University Report

#7

Brown University

Providence, RI

Brown University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree area studies programs. Located in the city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

Women make up 65% of the area studies majors at the school.

Full Area Studies at Brown University Report

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for area studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Mizzou is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia.

About 64% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 36% are male.

This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $461, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

With a ranking of #9, Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for area studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. BYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Provo.

Women make up 43% of the area studies majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, area studies majors at BYU accumulate an average of around $11,871 in student debt.

Read full report on Area Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo

#10

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA

With a ranking of #10, Brandeis University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for area studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Brandeis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham.

Of the 64 students majoring in area studies at Brandeis, 44% are male and 56% are female.

Full Area Studies at Brandeis University Report

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for area studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Of the 64 students majoring in area studies at Columbia, 50% are male and 50% are female.

Area Studies majors at Columbia take out an average of $21,923 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Area Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York Report

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree area studies programs. UT Austin is a very large public school located in the large city of Austin.

Women make up 69% of the area studies majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, area studies majors at UT Austin accumulate an average of around $17,600 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $268.

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Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the midsize city of Richmond, VCU is a public school with a very large student population.

About 83% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 17% are male.

On average, area studies graduates from VCU take out $24,762 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Area Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University Report

#14

Fordham University

Bronx, NY

Fordham University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Fordham U is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Bronx.

Women make up 73% of the area studies majors at the school.

Full Area Studies at Fordham University Report

Miami University - Oxford landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree area studies programs. Miami University - Oxford is a large public school located in the fringe town of Oxford.

Women make up 63% of the area studies majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that area studies majors at Miami University - Oxford take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $20,876.

Read More…

#16

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA

With a ranking of #16, William & Mary did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for area studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

About 71% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 29% are male.

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California State University - Fullerton ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Cal State Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton.

About 67% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 33% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, area studies graduates from Cal State Fullerton carry an average student debt load of $17,763.

Full Area Studies at California State University - Fullerton Report

#16

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME

With a ranking of #16, Bowdoin College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for area studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Bowdoin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick.

Of the 51 students majoring in area studies at Bowdoin, 31% are male and 69% are female.

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#16

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Emory is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Atlanta.

Women make up 71% of the area studies majors at the school.

Full Area Studies at Emory University Report

With a ranking of #20, University of Maryland Global Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for area studies students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, UMGC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 37% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 63% are male.

On average, area studies graduates from UMGC take out $15,676 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read More…

#20

New York University

New York, NY

New York University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree area studies programs. NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

About 45% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 55% are male.

The average amount in student loans that area studies majors at NYU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $17,951.

Read More…

#20

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Dartmouth is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover.

About 47% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 53% are male.

Read full report on Area Studies at Dartmouth College

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. U-M is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor.

About 69% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 31% are male.

The average amount in student loans that area studies majors at U-M take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $16,527.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, UofSC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 77% of the students majoring in area studies at the school are women while 23% are male.

Read More…

#25

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree area studies programs. Located in the city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 44 students majoring in area studies at University of Arizona, 27% are male and 73% are female.

Area Studies majors at University of Arizona take out an average of $21,915 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Arizona

#27

Oberlin College

Oberlin, OH
#28

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY
#30

Barnard College

New York, NY
#31

George Washington University

Washington, DC
#33

Smith College

Northampton, MA
#33

Utah State University

Logan, UT
#36

Trinity College

Hartford, CT
#38

Yale University

New Haven, CT
#38

Duke University

Durham, NC
#40

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN
#40

Tufts University

Medford, MA
#43

Connecticut College

New London, CT
#43

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN
#43

Middlebury College

Middlebury, VT
#43

Furman University

Greenville, SC
#47

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT
#47

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN
#47

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA
#50

American University

Washington, DC

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 419 different United States area studies schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 Georgetown University Washington, DC
50 University at Albany Albany, NY
53 Williams College Williamstown, MA
54 Wellesley College Wellesley, MA
54 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
56 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
56 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
56 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
56 Colgate University Hamilton, NY
60 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
60 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
62 Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY
62 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Area Studies students that almost earned our Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
64 University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA
64 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
64 University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA
67 Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA
67 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
67 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
70 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
70 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
70 Scripps College Claremont, CA
70 University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA
70 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
70 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
70 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
70 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
70 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
70 Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MA
80 University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
80 Iowa State University Ames, IA
82 University of Chicago Chicago, IL
82 Boston University Boston, MA
82 Carleton College Northfield, MN
82 Davidson College Davidson, NC
82 Colby College Waterville, ME
82 SUNY New Paltz New Paltz, NY

Area Studies by Region

View the Most Popular Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Area Studies is one of 2 different types of programs to choose from.

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

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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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