2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
17
Ranked Colleges
880
Degrees Awarded
$11,500
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 6,966 people earned their degree in area studies, making the major the 115th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, area studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $33,127 and had an average of $20,927 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 880 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,544 and $17,829 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 17 colleges that offered 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the area studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Area Studies Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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 in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 43 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
Stanford also took the #2 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $1,581 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Stanford Area Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for California Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%.
Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 103 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,891 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Los Angeles
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #4 spot on the list. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 48 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,573 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSULB.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at California State University - Long Beach
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 35 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #4 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,598 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Davis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area Studies at University of California - Davis
University of California - San Diego landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for California Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at UCSD
California State University - Fullerton ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $5,821 for California Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Cal State Fullerton Area Studies Report
University of California - Irvine came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 35 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UC Irvine Area Studies Report
University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 38 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,606 for California Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara
San Diego State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,274 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%.
Read full report on Area Studies at San Diego State University
With a ranking of #11, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #11 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $8,193 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of California - Riverside Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 6 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also took the #15 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,103 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.
Read full report on Area Studies at California State University - Northridge
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 5 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #13 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for California Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 University of California - Santa Cruz Area Studies Report
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Chico State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $13,040 for California Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Chico State
With a ranking of #15, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 7 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $9,055 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Sac State Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #16, University of San Francisco did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USFCA is located in San Francisco, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USFCA, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of San Francisco is $31,994 for California Area Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of San Francisco Area Studies Report
Azusa Pacific University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Azusa, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
Azusa Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Azusa Pacific University is $27,031 for california area studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Azusa Pacific
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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
- *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
