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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in the Far Western US Region

88 Ranked Colleges
$34,600 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Area Studies is the 115th most popular major in the country with 6,257 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , area studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $33,127 and had an average of $22,500 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,142 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,715 and $19,674 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 88 colleges that offered a degree in area studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in area studies.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in the Far Western US Region

1
Scripps crest
Scripps College
Claremont, California

Out of the 88 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Scripps College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. 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.

Full Scripps College Area Studies Report

2
Coastline Community College crest
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Coastline Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Fountain Valley, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 97 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Area Studies at Coastline Community College

3
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Out of the 88 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Occidental College landed the #3 spot on the list. Oxy is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 10 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Occidental College Area Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Hawaii. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region. Located in Laie, Hawaii, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Read more about Area Studies at BYU - H

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Willamette University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. Willamette University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Salem, Oregon. It awarded 11 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Willamette

6
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. Pitzer is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Pitzer College

7

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 200 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 UW Seattle Area Studies Report

8

University of Hawaii at Hilo ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public institution located in Hilo, Hawaii. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of Hawaii at Hilo

9
HNU crest
Holy Names University
Oakland, California

Holy Names University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #9. Oakland, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 0 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Holy Names University Area Studies Report

10
University of Portland crest
University of Portland
Portland, Oregon

University of Portland landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 9 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Full University of Portland Area Studies Report

11
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 62 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Area Studies at Stanford

12
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. USFCA is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of San Francisco Area Studies Report

13

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 38 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UH Manoa Area Studies Report

14
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Pomona College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Pomona is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 5 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Area Studies at Pomona College

15

University of California - Berkeley landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 65 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at UC Berkeley

16

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 78 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCLA Area Studies Report

17
PLU crest
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Washington

Pacific Lutheran University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 2 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Pacific Lutheran University

18
SPU crest
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, Washington

Seattle Pacific University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. SPU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 3 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Seattle Pacific University Area Studies Report

19
Reed crest
Reed College
Portland, Oregon

Reed College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Reed is a private not-for-profit institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 88%.

Read full report on Area Studies at Reed

20

California State University - Fullerton ranked #20 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 57 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Area Studies at Cal State Fullerton

21
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, California

Citrus College ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. Glendora, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 0 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at Citrus College

22

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 27 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Area Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara

23

University of Washington - Bothell Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Bothell, Washington, and it awarded 9 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 more about Area Studies at UW Bothell

24
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

Claremont McKenna College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #24. Claremont, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Claremont McKenna Area Studies Report

25

California State University - Long Beach came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 48 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%.

Full CSULB Area Studies Report

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