2023 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in Pennsylvania
32
Ranked Colleges
$33,000
Avg Cost*
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 Pennsylvania” 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 Pennsylvania, there were 350 area studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,515 and $25,434 respectively.
This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania” ranking looked at 32 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in area studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in area studies.
Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Pennsylvania” list to help you make the college decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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.
Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania
The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania area studies students.
Top 32 Most Focused Colleges for Area Studies in Pennsylvania
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dickinson College. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania. This small school is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 32 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Dickinson College Area Studies Report
Out of the 32 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Franklin and Marshall College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 Franklin and Marshall College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bucknell University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, 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 91%.
Read more about Area Studies at Bucknell University
Out of the 32 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Muhlenberg College landed the #4 spot on the list. Muhlenberg is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
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. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area Studies at Muhlenberg College
Out of the 32 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Gettysburg College landed the #5 spot on the list. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 14 students in 2021-2022.
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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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 Gettysburg College
Lincoln University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Lincoln is a small public school situated in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. It awarded 6 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
Read more about Area Studies at Lincoln
Swarthmore College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. This small school is located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 4 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Swarthmore College Area Studies Report
Ursinus College ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Ursinus is located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1 ’s area studies degrees to qualified students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%.
Full Ursinus College Area Studies Report
Lafayette College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Lafayette College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Easton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 14 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Lafayette Area Studies Report
Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7 ’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 Millersville University of Pennsylvania Area Studies Report
Bryn Mawr College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #11. Bryn Mawr is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It awarded 0 ’s area studies 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Area Studies at Bryn Mawr College
Haverford College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #12. Haverford College is a small school located in Haverford, Pennsylvania that handed out 2 ’s area studies degrees 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Haverford Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #13, La Salle University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s area studies degrees to 12 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%.
Read full report on Area Studies at La Salle University
With a ranking of #14, University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. University of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, 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 98%.
Full UPenn Area Studies Report
Albright College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Albright is a private not-for-profit institution located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Albright College
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 1 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Lehigh University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Lehigh is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It awarded 4 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 0.4% 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 Lehigh Area Studies Report
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. This medium-sized school is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 3 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus
Temple University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Temple University Area Studies Report
Arcadia University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #20. Arcadia University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Glenside, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Arcadia University
Saint Joseph’s University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.
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 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Saint Joseph’s University Area Studies Report
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. This large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 132 ’s area studies 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.
Read more about Area Studies at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
With a ranking of #23, University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. This small school is located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 0 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg
King’s College ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. King’s College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at King’s College PA
With a ranking of #23, University of Scranton did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. This small school is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 0 ’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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Scranton Area Studies Report
Lycoming College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Lycoming College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Lycoming College
Moravian College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 0 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Area Studies at Moravian
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Carnegie Mellon University Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #23, Duquesne University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 0 diplomas to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Area Studies at Duquesne
Cabrini University ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Located in Radnor, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified ’s area studies students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.
Full Cabrini University Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #23, Mercyhurst University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Erie, Pennsylvania 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 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%.
Full Mercyhurst University Area Studies Report
With a ranking of #23, Bucks County Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Area Studies Major in Pennsylvania list. Bucks County Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Newtown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 0 ’s area studies degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Bucks County Community College Area Studies Report
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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
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate 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.
Credits
