Best Area Studies Schools in New York

New York has 9 colleges offering Area Studies programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 144 recent graduates. Graduates in New York earn $34,163 on average within two years — 10% above the national average of $31,124, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Cornell University graduates earn $44,170 while Skidmore College graduates earn $21,508 — a $22,662 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NY

$34,163

NY Avg. Earnings

$31,124

National Avg.

122

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Area Studies in New York

Public Schools (2)

$31,038

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (7)

$34,684

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $3,646 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Area Studies Schools in New York, Ranked by Earnings

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$44,170

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,086

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 8.2%

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

$43,798

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 4.2%

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

$37,928

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,846

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 56.3%

Barnard College

New York, NY · Private

$39,648

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,983

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 8.0%

New York University

New York, NY · Private

$21,052

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,822

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 9.4%

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Geneva, NY · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 57.3%

University at Albany

Albany, NY · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,496

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 69.9%

State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public

$31,038

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 58.7%

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, NY · Private

$21,508

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 22.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Area Studies in New York?

Cornell University ranks #1 for Area Studies in New York with median graduate earnings of $44,170 within two years of graduation. There are 9 schools offering Area Studies programs in the state.

How much do Area Studies graduates earn in New York?

Area Studies graduates in New York earn an average of $34,163 within two years of graduation. This is 10% above the national average of $31,124 for this major.

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is the most selective Area Studies program in New York with an acceptance rate of 4.2%. The average acceptance rate across Area Studies programs in the state is 32.8%.

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

In New York, private Area Studies programs produce average earnings of $34,684 vs $31,038 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 2 public and 7 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in New York

Marine Transportation $73,446 Computer Science $71,535 Computer Engineering $71,263 Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology $70,176 Industrial Engineering $69,459 Construction Management $67,560 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $66,924 Materials Engineering $66,884

All colleges in New York →

Area Studies in Other States

California Pennsylvania Massachusetts Ohio Connecticut Virginia Washington Maryland Illinois New Jersey Wisconsin Washington DC View All →

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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.