CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · College Park, Maryland

Is Area Studies at University of Maryland-College Park worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 3.8 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
Not enough graduates to report
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$63,877
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
Not enough borrowers to report
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$61k (likely $61k – $66k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$23k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in MD
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
3.8 years (likely 2.6–6.2)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$2k (likely −$102k – $110k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$274k (likely $64k – $520k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
88%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Area Studies at other schools

🌍 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward languages & cultures majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP Spanish Language and Culture (or French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Latin)
  • AP World History: Modern
  • AP Human Geography

IB Higher Level

  • Language B HL
  • History HL or Geography HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at University of Maryland-College Park