2025 Best Area Studies Schools in the Plains States Region
5
Colleges in the Plains States Region
247
Area Studies Degrees Awarded
$36,713
Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in
area studies, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #115 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.
For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for area studies students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 247 degrees in area studies to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
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Featured Area Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Anthropology
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.
Learn More
Choosing a Great Area Studies School
Your choice of area studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Area Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Area Studies Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Area Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
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.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
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Featured Area Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Anthropology
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.
Learn More
Best Schools for Area Studies in the Plains States Region
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the area studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Plains States Region Schools in Area Studies
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In MO
33
Area Studies Degrees Awarded
It is hard to beat Washington University in St Louis if you want to pursue a degree in area studies. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.
There were approximately 33 area studies students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in area studies from Washington University in St Louis
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In KS
37
Area Studies Degrees Awarded
Any student pursuing a degree in area studies needs to check out University of Kansas. Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of Kansas.
There were about 37 area studies students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in area studies from University of Kansas
Bachelors
Degree Type
BA in Anthropology
Program Name
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.
More information about a degree in BA in Anthropology from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
University of Missouri - Columbia is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in area studies. Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were roughly 47 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent year we have data available. Area Studies degree recipients from University of Missouri - Columbia get an earnings boost of approximately $7,383 over the typical earnings of area studies majors.
More information about a degree in area studies from University of Missouri - Columbia
St Olaf College is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in area studies. Located in the distant town of Northfield, St. Olaf is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 6th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were approximately 22 area studies students who graduated with this degree at St. Olaf in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the area studies program make about $35,569 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in area studies from St Olaf College
Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.
There were about 14 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the area studies program state that they receive average early career income of $19,426.
More information about a degree in area studies from University of Iowa
