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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the New England Region

23 Ranked Colleges
881 Degrees Awarded
$36,773 Avg Salary
Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor's in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 New England region, there were 1,061 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,773 and $17,347 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 881 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,041 and $24,492 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in area studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent area studies programs, but they also 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the New England Region

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and it awarded 46 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Yale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Yale is $2,167 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Area Studies at Yale

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard also took the #7 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard is $3,411 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%.

Full Harvard Area Studies Report

#3

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Williams College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Williamstown, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Williams not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Williams College is $7,134 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Williams College Area Studies Report

#4

Amherst College

Amherst, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Amherst College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Amherst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Amherst has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $8,219 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Amherst College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.8% 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%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Area Studies at Amherst

#5

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brown University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 78 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Brown University is $11,689 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Brown University

#6

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire

Dartmouth College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dartmouth College is a medium-sized school located in Hanover, New Hampshire that handed out 41 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Dartmouth also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Dartmouth is $9,044 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 Dartmouth College Area Studies Report

#7

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Wellesley College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 41 degrees to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Wellesley also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $14,229 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wellesley.

The low 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Wellesley Area Studies Report

#8

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, Maine

Bowdoin College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Brunswick, Maine, and it awarded 58 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bowdoin, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $14,539 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Bowdoin College.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Bowdoin

#9

Middlebury College

Middlebury, Vermont

Middlebury College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Middlebury, Vermont, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Middlebury, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Middlebury College is $14,002 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Middlebury College

#10

Connecticut College

New London, Connecticut

With a ranking of #10, Connecticut College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Conn College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New London, Connecticut. It awarded 33 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Conn College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Conn College is $21,075 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Full Connecticut College Area Studies Report

#11

Trinity College

Hartford, Connecticut

Trinity College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Trinity Bantams is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hartford, Connecticut. It awarded 36 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity Bantams did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Trinity College is $14,994 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Area Studies at Trinity Bantams

#12

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Smith College is located in Northampton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Smith has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Smith College is $16,394 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at Smith

#13

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Medford, Massachusetts, and it awarded 30 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tufts, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tufts University is $13,525 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 92%.

Full Tufts University Area Studies Report

#14

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 15 degrees to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Boston U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Boston U is $20,231 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Area Studies at Boston U

#15

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Mount Holyoke College is a private not-for-profit institution located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mt. Holyoke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Holyoke College is $17,860 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read more about Area Studies at Mount Holyoke College

#16

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Amherst, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s area studies degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

UMass Amherst also took the #20 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst is $18,104 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Read full report on Area Studies at UMass Amherst

#17

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 70 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Brandeis has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis is $20,122 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Area Studies at Brandeis

#18

University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut

University of Connecticut came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Storrs, Connecticut, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCONN, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCONN is $19,243 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UCONN

#18

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Massachusetts - Boston is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 bachelors’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

UMass Boston also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts - Boston is $18,521 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full University of Massachusetts - Boston Area Studies Report

#20

Keene State College

Keene, New Hampshire
#19 in overall quality

Keene State College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Keene, New Hampshire, this small public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Keene State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Keene State is $16,948 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Keene State College Area Studies Report

#21

Wheaton College Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #21, Wheaton College Massachusetts did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Norton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Massachusetts also made our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $22,571 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wheaton College Massachusetts.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Wheaton College Massachusetts Area Studies Report

#21 in overall quality

University of New Hampshire - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. UNH is a fairly large school located in Durham, New Hampshire that handed out 1 bachelors’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNH, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of New Hampshire - Main Campus is $21,161 for new england region bachelor’s degree area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 more about Area Studies at University of New Hampshire - Main Campus

#23

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts
#23 in overall quality

Simmons University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the New England Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Simmons is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Simmons also took the #23 spot in our “Best Area Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $26,214 for New England Region Bachelor’s Degree Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Simmons.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read full report on Area Studies at Simmons

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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

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.

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