Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Middle Atlantic Region

36 Ranked Colleges
930 Degrees Awarded
$11,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor's in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Area Studies is the 106th most popular major in the country with 6,820 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, area studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,734 and had an average of $23,024 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Middle Atlantic region, there were 1,588 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,617 and $28,196 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 930 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,278 and $24,587 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in area studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great area studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the area studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Middle Atlantic Region

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 62 degrees to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $4,287 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia.

The low student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Area Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York

#2

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Cornell University landed the #2 spot on the list. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 54 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Cornell also took the #1 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $7,518 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cornell.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Cornell University Area Studies Report

#3

Colgate University

Hamilton, New York

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colgate University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Hamilton, New York, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Colgate has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $8,958 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Colgate University.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Colgate Area Studies Report

#4

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Georgetown University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Georgetown University is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Georgetown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Georgetown University is $8,678 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Georgetown University Area Studies Report

#5

Lehman College

Bronx, New York
#22 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lehman College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Bronx, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Lehman also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Lehman is $3,289 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Area Studies at Lehman

#6

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Maryland - College Park is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 25 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UMCP also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for University of Maryland - College Park is $12,128 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMCP Area Studies Report

#7

Barnard College

New York, New York

Barnard College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 32 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Barnard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Barnard is $9,884 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Barnard

#8

Dickinson College

Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dickinson College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Dickinson is a small school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania that handed out 31 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Dickinson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $12,662 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dickinson.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Area Studies at Dickinson College

John Jay College of Criminal Justice ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. New York, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for John Jay is $3,108 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Area Studies at John Jay

#10

Towson University

Towson, Maryland

Towson University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Towson is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Towson, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Towson University is $12,632 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Towson

#11

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

George Washington University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GWU is a large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 29 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

GWU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GWU is $17,924 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Area Studies at George Washington University

#12

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, New York

Skidmore College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Skidmore did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Skidmore College is $13,986 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Skidmore

#13

SUNY Old Westbury

Old Westbury, New York

With a ranking of #13, SUNY Old Westbury did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SUNY Old Westbury is a public institution located in Old Westbury, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Old Westbury is $9,754 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Area Studies at SUNY Old Westbury

#14

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York
#15 in overall quality

Stony Brook University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Stony Brook, New York, and it awarded 25 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

SUNY Stony Brook not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $12,993 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stony Brook University.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Area Studies at SUNY Stony Brook

#15

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, New York

Vassar College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Poughkeepsie, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Vassar also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $6,080 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Vassar.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Vassar Area Studies Report

#16

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware
#17 in overall quality

University of Delaware did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. UD is located in Newark, Delaware and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UD, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UD is $12,236 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Delaware

#17

SUNY Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, New York
#20 in overall quality

SUNY Plattsburgh landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SUNY Plattsburgh is a medium-sized school located in Plattsburgh, New York that handed out 5 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, SUNY Plattsburgh has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $12,740 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SUNY Plattsburgh.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at SUNY Plattsburgh

#18

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Gettysburg also took the #24 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gettysburg College is $14,029 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Gettysburg College

#19

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Brunswick, New Jersey is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,779 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rutgers New Brunswick.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Rutgers University - New Brunswick Area Studies Report

#20

Binghamton University

Vestal, New York
#19 in overall quality

Binghamton University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Binghamton University is a fairly large school located in Vestal, New York that handed out 21 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Binghamton University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Binghamton University is $15,226 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Binghamton University

University of Maryland - Baltimore County did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Maryland - Baltimore County is $12,605 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Maryland - Baltimore County

#22

SUNY New Paltz

New Paltz, New York

SUNY New Paltz ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SUNY New Paltz is located in New Paltz, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for SUNY New Paltz is $14,870 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Area Studies at SUNY New Paltz

#23

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Mahwah, New Jersey

Ramapo College of New Jersey did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Ramapo College of New Jersey is a medium-sized school located in Mahwah, New Jersey that handed out 3 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Ramapo College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $14,988 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ramapo College of New Jersey.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Ramapo College

#24

University at Albany

Albany, New York

University at Albany landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University at Albany is located in Albany, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UAlbany is $16,171 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University at Albany Area Studies Report

#25

New York University

New York, New York

With a ranking of #25, New York University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 41 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

NYU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for NYU is $25,771 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at New York University

Switch to a More Focused Major

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Political and Social Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You