by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for area studies students pursuing a bachelor's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 597 bachelor's degrees in area studies during the 2022-2023 academic year.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
The area studies bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality area studies program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for area studies students working on their bachelor's degree.
The area studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Area Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region.
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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in area studies.
Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in area studies has to take a look at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill.
Soon after graduation, area studies bachelor's recipients generally earn about $31,955 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in area studies needs to check out Emory University. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the area studies program make around $33,549 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Emory University
William & Mary is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in area studies. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Area Studies bachelor's degree recipients from William & Mary receive an earnings boost of around $19,531 above the average earnings of area studies graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from William & Mary
University of Richmond is a wonderful option for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in area studies. URichmond is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of University of Richmond.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the area studies program earn about $33,340 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from University of Richmond
UofSC is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Columbia.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the area studies program report average early career wages of $32,064.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from University of South Carolina - Columbia
Located in the city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the area studies program make an average of $35,557 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Virginia Commonwealth University
Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Florida State University
FIU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Miami.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the area studies program report average early career earnings of $19,457.
More information about a bachelor’s in area studies from Florida International UniversityExplore the best area studies colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 225 | 73 |
| Georgia | 224 | 87 |
| Tennessee | 220 | 40 |
| North Carolina | 213 | 290 |
| Virginia | 213 | 156 |
| South Carolina | 195 | 84 |
| Kentucky | 187 | 45 |
| Alabama | 184 | 13 |
| Louisiana | 171 | 17 |
| Mississippi | 169 | 2 |
| Arkansas | 167 | 0 |
| West Virginia | 147 | 0 |
Area Studies is one of 2 different types of Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Area Studies, Other | 205 |
| Asian Studies | 118 |
| American U.S. Studies | 58 |
| Latin American Studies | 33 |
| African Studies | 29 |
| Chinese Studies | 26 |
| French Studies | 21 |
| German Studies | 19 |
| Latin American & Caribbean Studies | 17 |
| Near & Middle Eastern Studies | 14 |
