Compare 96 Area Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $43,085. Top programs: $77,707+.
With top graduates earning $77,707, Area Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $34K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Emory University's Area Studies program leads with graduates earning $77,707, closely followed by UC Berkeley at $77,557. The average across 96 programs is $43,085, demonstrating massive variation within the field. Cornell rounds out the top three at $75,147, showing that program strength varies significantly even among similar institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 3.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Brigham Young leads with a 9.2% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $77,707 | 46 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Manageable |
| #2 | $77,557 | 103 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #3 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $75,147 | 54 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #4 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $71,072 | 41 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Challenging |
| #5 | $69,936 | 20 | $22,750 | Excellent | $48,666 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Williams CollegePrivate | $67,794 | 21 | $12,761 | Excellent | $31,178 | Manageable |
| #7 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $65,259 | 29 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #8 | $63,437 | 62 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $62,809 | 22 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Yale UniversityPrivate | $62,139 | 46 | $12,975 | Excellent | $29,769 | Manageable |
| #11 | William & MaryPublic | $59,898 | 38 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,326 | Challenging |
| #12 | $59,629 | 25 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #13 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $59,590 | 48 | $24,300 | Good | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #14 | $59,123 | 76 | $20,500 | Excellent | $32,529 | Challenging | |
| #15 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $57,606 | 14 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | Challenging |
| #16 | $56,039 | 55 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $55,743 | 193 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Manageable | |
| #18 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $55,711 | 69 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Good |
| #19 | $55,626 | 100 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #20 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | $55,437 | 41 | $10,000 | Excellent | $38,825 | Challenging |
| #21 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $55,201 | 70 | $25,648 | Good | $35,451 | High |
| #22 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $54,435 | 30 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | High |
| #23 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $54,114 | 55 | $23,000 | Good | $34,512 | High |
| #24 | $53,328 | 18 | $19,500 | Good | $34,511 | High | |
| #25 | American UniversityPrivate | $52,509 | 18 | $22,750 | Good | $39,169 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
