Best Area Studies Schools in California

California has 14 colleges offering Area Studies programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 354 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $34,623 on average within two years — 11% above the national average of $31,124, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

Schools in CA

$34,623

CA Avg. Earnings

$31,124

National Avg.

122

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Area Studies in California

Public Schools (8)

$31,513

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (6)

$38,251

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $6,738 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Area Studies Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$40,821

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,373

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 11.7%

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$30,409

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $19,866

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 27.8%

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 93.2%

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,438

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 8.7%

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$31,423

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,666

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: 86.7%

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$31,314

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,213

Graduates: 58

Acceptance: 47.1%

University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA · Private

$44,384

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 94.9%

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 88.6%

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$28,019

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,302

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 93.7%

#10

Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA · Private

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,773

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 50.8%

#12

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$31,851

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,801

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 79.5%

#14

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$31,848

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 10.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Area Studies in California?

University of California-Berkeley ranks #1 for Area Studies in California with median graduate earnings of $40,821 within two years of graduation. There are 14 schools offering Area Studies programs in the state.

How much do Area Studies graduates earn in California?

Area Studies graduates in California earn an average of $34,623 within two years of graduation. This is 11% above the national average of $31,124 for this major.

What is the hardest Area Studies school to get into in California?

University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Area Studies program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Area Studies programs in the state is 56.8%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Area Studies in California?

In California, private Area Studies programs produce average earnings of $38,251 vs $31,513 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 6 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

All colleges in California →

Area Studies in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.