Best colleges for Area Studies in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Central Michigan University and Siena Heights University award the most Area Studies degrees and certificates in Michigan: 42, 6 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Michigan colleges offer Area Studies and award 75 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Area Studies is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the research and scholarship of specific geographical, national, or cultural regions. This field encompasses various disciplines, including international relations, history,…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,261 | 42 | 93% | — | $16,984 |
Colleges awarding the most Area Studies degrees in Michigan
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public | 42 | $28,261 |
| 2 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 3 | Siena Heights University Adrian Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 4 | Wayne State University Detroit Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 5 | Adrian College Adrian Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 6 | Hillsdale College Hillsdale Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 7 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | Hope College Holland Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | Northern Michigan University Marquette Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Michigan colleges offering Area Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti | Public | 1 |
| Kalamazoo College | Kalamazoo | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1062).
Top skills
What Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn in Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Area Studies programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Area Studies degrees?+
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (42 graduates a year), Central Michigan University (6 graduates a year) and Siena Heights University (5 graduates a year) award the most Area Studies degrees and certificates in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Michigan colleges offer Area Studies.
Which Area Studies program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor tops the list at $28,261. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn in Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary in Michigan is $101,150 (median $87,840), across about 460 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Area Studies program?+
Area Studies is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the research and scholarship of specific geographical, national, or cultural regions. This field encompasses various disciplines, including international relations, history,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, speaking, writing, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary?+
The national job outlook is about +2.4% growth with around 1,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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