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2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k

13 Ranked Colleges
469 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 6,820 people earned their degree in area studies, making the major the 106th most popular in the United States. 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 Massachusetts, there were 469 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,600 and $18,123 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 13 colleges that offered a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 13 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 91 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $3,411 for massachusetts area studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Harvard Area Studies Report

#2

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Williams College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and it awarded 21 ’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Williams did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $7,134 for massachusetts area studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Williams.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national 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. 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 Williams College

#3

Amherst College

Amherst, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Amherst College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k. Amherst College is located in Amherst, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Amherst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $8,219 for massachusetts area studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Amherst College.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Area Studies at Amherst College

#4

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wellesley College landed the #4 spot on the list. Wellesley, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

Wellesley also took the #3 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $14,229 for Massachusetts Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wellesley College.

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 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Wellesley College Area Studies Report

#5

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Smith College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k. This small school is located in Northampton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 40 ’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Smith not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Smith College is $16,394 for massachusetts 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%.

Full Smith College Area Studies Report

#6

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Medford, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts area studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Tufts has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $13,525 for massachusetts area studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Tufts University.

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. The low student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Area Studies at Tufts University

#7

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #7, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. Boston University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 29 ’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Boston U is $20,231 for massachusetts 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 student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Boston U Area Studies Report

#7

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Mt. Holyoke also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Holyoke College is $17,860 for Massachusetts Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Read full report on Area Studies at Mount Holyoke College

#9

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #9, University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 ’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Amherst, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMass Amherst is $18,104 for Massachusetts 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Area Studies at UMass Amherst

#10

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 79 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Brandeis also took the #6 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis University is $20,122 for Massachusetts Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Full Brandeis Area Studies Report

#11

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Boston came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Boston, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts - Boston is $18,521 for Massachusetts Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Massachusetts - Boston

#12

Wheaton College Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts

Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wheaton College Massachusetts is located in Norton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Wheaton College Massachusetts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Massachusetts is $22,571 for Massachusetts Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Wheaton College Massachusetts Area Studies Report

#13

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 2 ’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Simmons also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Simmons University is $26,214 for Massachusetts Area Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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 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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