2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k
17
Ranked Colleges
880
Degrees Awarded
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 17 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in area studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality area studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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 in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $48-$75k) in California
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $7,081 for California 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 86%. 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Stanford University Area Studies Report
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 105 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $13,423 for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at UC Berkeley
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 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. It costs about $12,644 for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 UCLA Area Studies Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $11,189 for California Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 low undergrad 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%.
Read full report on Area Studies at CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $14,193 for california 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 93%. 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%.
Read full report on Area Studies at University of California - Davis
California State University - Fullerton landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $9,017 for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State Fullerton Area Studies Report
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 22 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $14,310 for California Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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 UCSD Area Studies Report
University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also took the #7 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $13,275 for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Irvine
University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $14,583 for California Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, 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 - Santa Barbara Area Studies Report
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. 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 $14,698 for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend San Diego State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Area Studies at SDSU
University of California - Riverside ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $11,126 for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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 91%.
Read more about Area Studies at UCR
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 $48-$75k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $10,780 for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at CSUN
University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #13 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $15,567 for California Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, 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%.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Area Studies Report
California State University - Chico came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.
Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,738 for california area studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Chico State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at California State University - Chico
California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 7 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $12,602 for California Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at California State University - Sacramento
