Compare 10 Area Studies. programs in Massachusetts. Average earnings: $43,779.
The highest-earning Area Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $48K earnings gap across 10 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Williams College's Area Studies program leads with graduates earning $67,794, well above the state average of $43,779. Wellesley College follows at $55,437, while Brandeis University rounds out the top three at $55,201. These outcomes reflect program quality rather than general school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Williams College graduates borrow $12,761 and face just a 3.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making the strong earnings even more valuable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Williams CollegePrivate | $67,794 | 21 | $12,761 | Excellent | $31,178 | Manageable |
| #2 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | $55,437 | 41 | $10,000 | Excellent | $38,825 | Challenging |
| #3 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $55,201 | 70 | $25,648 | Good | $35,451 | High |
| #4 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $54,435 | 30 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | High |
| #5 | Amherst CollegePrivate | $49,923 | 28 | $13,740 | Excellent | $47,598 | High |
| #6 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $41,937 | 26 | $14,000 | Good | $28,000 | High |
| #7 | Smith CollegePrivate | $40,081 | 40 | $17,550 | Manageable | $30,366 | High |
| #8 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $31,851 | 15 | $23,250 | High | $39,000 | High |
| #9 | Mount Holyoke CollegePrivate | $21,508 | 16 | $22,902 | High | $31,129 | High |
| #10 | $19,618 | 14 | $21,974 | High | $17,163 | 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 →
