WhatGradsMake
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

Graduates of University of Colorado Boulder's bachelor's program in Area Studies earn a median $36,821 one year after graduating, rising to $74,144 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% below the national median of $61,940 for this field, ranking 24th of 67 reporting programs.

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

Related fields of study

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
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Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
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