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Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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2023 Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

118 Colleges
$34,912 Avg Salary
$23,607 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Area Studies School for You

Out of all the majors we analyze each year, area studies was ranked #112 in the country. In fact 6,966 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 118 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Area Studies program at each school on the list.

Check out the area studies programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Middle Atlantic Region .

Our analysis found University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus to be the most popular school for area studies students who want to pursue a degree in the Middle Atlantic Region . Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Pitt is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, area studies graduates from Pitt carry an average student debt load of $26,495.

Read More…

#2

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Georgetown University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Washington.

Read full report on Area Studies at Georgetown University

Out of the 118 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the # 3 spot on the list. Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

After completing their degree, area studies graduates from Columbia carry an average student debt load of $19,500.

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

#4

New York University

New York, NY

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means New York University is a great place for area studies students. Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, area studies majors at NYU accumulate an average of around $18,547 in student debt.

Full Area Studies at New York University Report

#5

Fordham University

Bronx, NY

The excellent programs at Fordham University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best area studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region . Located in the large city of Bronx, Fordham U is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that area studies majors at Fordham U take out is $26,884.

Read full report on Area Studies at Fordham University

University of Maryland Global Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. UMGC is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Adelphi.

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#6

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Cornell University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in the small city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, area studies graduates from Cornell carry an average student debt load of $13,000.

Full Area Studies at Cornell University Report

With a ranking of #8, George Washington University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for area studies students. GWU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington.

On average, area studies graduates from GWU take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, SRU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, area studies graduates from SRU take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Area Studies at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

#9

Barnard College

New York, NY

Barnard College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Barnard is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

Area Studies majors at Barnard take out an average of $19,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Area Studies at Barnard College Report

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. UMCP is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of College Park.

The average amount in student loans that area studies majors at UMCP take out is $18,851.

Full Area Studies at University of Maryland - College Park Report

#12

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

With a ranking of #12, Princeton University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for area studies students. Princeton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Princeton.

Read full report on Area Studies at Princeton University

#13

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for area studies students. It came in at #13 on the list. Dickinson is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Carlisle.

On average, area studies graduates from Dickinson take out $19,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Area Studies at Dickinson College Report

#13

American University

Washington, DC

American University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular area studies programs. Located in the city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, area studies graduates from The American University carry an average student debt load of $26,000.

Full Area Studies at American University Report

#13

University at Albany

Albany, NY

University at Albany came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the small city of Albany, UAlbany is a public college with a large student population.

While working on their degree, area studies majors at UAlbany accumulate an average of around $22,750 in student debt.

Read full report on Area Studies at University at Albany

#16

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

With a ranking of #16, Stony Brook University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for area studies students. Located in the large suburb of Stony Brook, SUNY Stony Brook is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Full Area Studies at Stony Brook University Report

#17

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY

Colgate University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in the distant town of Hamilton, Colgate is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Area Studies at Colgate University Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Area Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region award.

Rank College Location
18 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
19 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
19 Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY
21 Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA
22 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
22 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY

Best Area Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best area studies schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic region.

State Degrees Awarded
Pennsylvania 245
New York 684
Maryland 141
New Jersey 75
District of Columbia 206
Delaware 13

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 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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