by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 4 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Area Studies Master's Degree Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 128 master's degrees in area studies to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
The area studies master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for area studies students working on their master's degree.
The area studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Area Studies Master's Degree Schools in California.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in area studies.
University of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in area studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in area studies from University of Southern California
University of California - Los Angeles is one of the best schools in the country for getting a master's degree in area studies. UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a master’s in area studies from University of California - Los Angeles
California State University - Fullerton is a good choice for students pursuing a master's degree in area studies. Cal State Fullerton is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Fullerton.More information about a master’s in area studies from California State University - Fullerton
It's difficult to beat California State University - Los Angeles if you wish to pursue a master's degree in area studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Cal State LA is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in area studies from California State University - Los Angeles
Explore all the Best Area Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 183 | 32 |
| Oregon | 158 | 7 |
| Hawaii | 85 | 15 |
| Alaska | 52 | 1 |
Area Studies is one of 2 different types of Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Latin American Studies | 37 |
| East Asian Studies | 34 |
| American U.S. Studies | 23 |
| Asian Studies | 12 |
| Central & Eastern European Studies | 10 |
| Area Studies, Other | 5 |
| Italian Studies | 3 |
| Near & Middle Eastern Studies | 2 |
| African Studies | 1 |
| French Studies | 1 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ethnic Studies | 97 |
| Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Other) | 13 |
