Compare 96 Area Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $48,414. Top programs: $96,976+.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #76 | $31,848 | 6 | $20,909 | High | $12,452 | High | |
| #77 | $31,038 | 12 | $18,750 | High | $23,871 | High | |
| #78 | $30,897 | 30 | $15,000 | Challenging | $22,665 | High | |
| #79 | $30,716 | 25 | $17,500 | High | $24,585 | High | |
| #80 | $30,554 | 13 | $16,704 | High | $24,323 | High | |
| #81 | University Of PortlandPrivate | $29,685 | 9 | $21,370 | High | $57,555 | High |
| #82 | $29,685 | 8 | $20,500 | High | $33,574 | High | |
| #83 | $28,960 | 10 | $25,000 | High | $25,947 | High | |
| #84 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $28,019 | 12 | $15,000 | High | $26,966 | High |
| #85 | Temple UniversityPublic | $27,476 | 6 | $24,395 | High | $36,495 | High |
| #86 | $27,476 | 23 | $19,500 | High | $26,987 | High | |
| #87 | Gustavus Adolphus CollegePrivate | $24,035 | 11 | $26,774 | High | $34,265 | High |
| #88 | $23,742 | 46 | $16,500 | High | $13,610 | High | |
| #89 | Vassar CollegePrivate | $22,741 | 30 | $18,625 | High | $44,501 | High |
| #90 | $21,527 | 20 | $13,000 | High | $25,733 | High | |
| #91 | Mount Holyoke CollegePrivate | $21,508 | 21 | $22,902 | High | $31,129 | High |
| #92 | Skidmore CollegePrivate | $21,508 | 14 | $19,500 | High | $60,000 | High |
| #93 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $20,682 | 36 | $13,000 | High | $27,998 | High |
| #94 | $17,396 | 9 | $25,000 | High | $38,368 | High | |
| #95 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | $16,733 | 19 | $10,298 | High | $17,680 | High |
| #96 | $16,169 | 6 | $21,056 | High | $23,508 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
