2025 Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts
5
Colleges in Massachusetts
365
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.
In 2025, College Factual analyzed 5 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 365 degrees in area studies to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * 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
The area studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Area Studies rankings. 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.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Pick Your Area Studies Degree Level
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 Best Area Studies Schools in Massachusetts list to help you make the college decision.
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 Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts Schools in Area Studies
It is difficult to beat Wellesley College if you wish to pursue a degree in area studies. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #94 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Wellesley is a great college overall.
There were about 28 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley in the most recent data year. Area Studies degree recipients from Wellesley College earn a boost of around $6,518 over the typical earnings of area studies majors.
More information about a degree in area studies from Wellesley College
It's difficult to beat Brandeis University if you wish to pursue a degree in area studies. Located in the small city of Waltham, Brandeis is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 15th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were roughly 41 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis in the most recent data year. Those area studies students who get their degree from Brandeis University receive $7,035 more than the standard area studies student.
More information about a degree in area studies from Brandeis University
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
Any student pursuing a degree in area studies has to take a look at Amherst College. Located in the small city of Amherst, Amherst is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Amherst is a great college overall.
There were roughly 27 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Amherst in the most recent data year. Area Studies degree recipients from Amherst College get an earnings boost of around $12,436 over the typical income of area studies majors.
More information about a degree in area studies from Amherst College
It is hard to beat Smith College if you wish to pursue a degree in area studies. Located in the small city of Northampton, Smith is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 21st out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were approximately 21 area studies students who graduated with this degree at Smith in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the area studies program report average early career earnings of $29,878.
More information about a degree in area studies from Smith College
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In MA
UMass Boston is a large public university located in the large city of Boston. This university ranks 25th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were about 13 area studies students who graduated with this degree at UMass Boston in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in area studies from University of Massachusetts - Boston