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2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

32 Ranked Colleges
187 Degrees Awarded
$33,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

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 Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 187 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 32 colleges that offer a degree in area studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality area studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Area Studies Schools

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 Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Area Studies (With Aid)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified doctorate’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Area Studies at Harvard University

#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 6 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #12 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Area Studies Report

#3

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree area studies students with aid list, Yale has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500.

Read full report on Area Studies at Yale University

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #4 spot on the list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford University Area Studies Report

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#21 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Area Studies Report

#6

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Area Studies Report

#7

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Maryland - College Park is a large public school situated in College Park, Maryland. It awarded 7 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UMCP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Maryland - College Park

#11 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Area Studies Report

#9

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree area studies students with aid list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read more about Area Studies at IU Bloomington

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #19 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Area Studies at UIUC

#15 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Austin Area Studies Report

#12

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 6 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Berkeley Area Studies Report

#13

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#18 in overall quality

William & Mary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s area studies degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree area studies students with aid list, William & Mary has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full William & Mary Area Studies Report

#14

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 2 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full U-M Area Studies Report

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Read full report on Area Studies at UIC

#16

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#25 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#17

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#22 in overall quality

University of Iowa came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 4 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #22. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Iowa

#18

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at UNM

#19

Rutgers University - Newark

Newark, New Jersey

Rutgers University - Newark ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Rutgers Newark is a fairly large public school situated in Newark, New Jersey. It awarded 2 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers Newark are $32,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at Rutgers University - Newark

#20

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 2 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Arizona

#21

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Brown University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Brown is a medium-sized school located in Providence, Rhode Island that handed out 7 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363.

Full Brown Area Studies Report

#22

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Ithaca, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s area studies students in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Area Studies at Cornell University

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 9 doctorate’s area studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

#24

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. UH Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Area Studies at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#25

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#24 in overall quality

University of Kansas landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Area Studies Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Area Studies Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007.

Full KU Area Studies Report

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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