Bachelor's-8% vs national median162 grads tracked
Area Studies at University of Colorado Boulder
Ranked 24th of 67 bachelor's programs in Area Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$36,821
middle 50%: $25,370 – $50,539
Median · 5 years out
$57,075
middle 50%: $34,526 – $81,133
Median · 10 years out
$74,144
middle 50%: $50,636 – $113,931
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Area Studies (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Area Studies graduates earn a $37k median in their first year. Salary growth reaches $57k by year five and $74k by year ten.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
7.5 yrs
≈ $8,872 total interest
Same major at other universities
Western Connecticut State University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Brandywine
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
George Mason University
$59,550 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$57,971 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$57,427 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$57,248 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Lehman College
$56,764 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$56,069 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts at Boston
$56,029 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$55,137 · 5 yrs out
Macalester College
$54,898 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Colorado Boulder
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$179,121 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,413 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$121,503 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$121,397 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$118,475 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$115,546 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,642 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$111,405 · 5 yrs out
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,066 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$104,453 · 5 yrs out