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2023 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Far Western US Region

22 Ranked Colleges
1,234 Degrees Awarded
$27,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Area Studies is the 115th most popular major in the country with 6,966 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 the Far Western US region, there were 1,234 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,715 and $19,460 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the area studies program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k” 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

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Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Area Studies (Income Over $110k) in the Far Western US Region

1

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 192 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also took the #3 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $12,017 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, 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 undergraduate students.

Full UW Seattle Area Studies Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k list, CSULB has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Area Studies Report

3

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 59 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $8,003 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 California State University - Fullerton Area Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 103 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Area Studies at UCLA

5

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 105 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $16,032 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Berkeley Area Studies Report

6
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #6. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $13,845 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend SDSU.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full San Diego State University Area Studies Report

7

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #7. UH Manoa is a fairly large school located in Honolulu, Hawaii that handed out 35 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Manoa, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $14,687 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UH Manoa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at UH Manoa

8
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

With a ranking of #8, Western Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. WWU is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 12 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WWU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $17,070 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend WWU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full WWU Area Studies Report

9

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #9. 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.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCSD Area Studies Report

10

University of California - Davis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Davis, 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 Davis, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at UC Davis

11
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 25 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Oregon is $18,047 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad 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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Oregon

12

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 38 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $16,252 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara

13

University of California - Irvine came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 35 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Irvine

14

California State University - Northridge ranked #14 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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 California State University - Northridge

15

California State University - Chico landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 11 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,218 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend California State University - Chico.

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%.

Full Chico State Area Studies Report

16

University of California - Riverside ranked #16 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 21 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $11,822 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full UCR Area Studies Report

17

California State University - Sacramento landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,178 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

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 Sac State

18
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k 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.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $12,894 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, 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 86%.

Full Stanford University Area Studies Report

19

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k 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 made our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $17,930 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at UC Santa Cruz

20

University of Washington - Bothell Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. UW Bothell is a medium-sized public school situated in Bothell, Washington. It awarded 10 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k list, UW Bothell has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW Bothell is $11,562 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, 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.

Full UW Bothell Area Studies Report

21
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Azusa, California, and it awarded 5 ’s area studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Azusa Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $30,744 for far western us region area studies students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Azusa Pacific University.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Azusa Pacific University Area Studies Report

22
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #22. USFCA is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USFCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Area Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for USFCA is $40,053 for Far Western US Region Area Studies students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of San Francisco Area Studies Report

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