WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-20% vs national median77 grads tracked

Area Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

Ranked 54th of 67 bachelor's programs in Area Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,377
middle 50%: $23,597 – $64,005
Median · 5 years out
$49,582
middle 50%: $37,744 – $75,281
Median · 10 years out
$72,585
middle 50%: $57,991 – $93,187

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 Indiana University - Bloomington's bachelor's program in Area Studies earn a median $38,377 one year after graduating, rising to $72,585 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 20% below the national median of $61,940 for this field, ranking 54th 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
8 yrs
≈ $9,426 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$50,539 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$50,311 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$50,129 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Queens College
$50,050 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$49,659 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$49,217 · 5 yrs out
Gustavus Adolphus College
$49,171 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University Moorhead
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$47,645 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$47,255 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Hilo
$47,119 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Indiana University - Bloomington

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$185,244 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,623 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$154,557 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$150,773 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Master's)
$132,457 · 5 yrs out
Optometry (Doctorate)
$120,596 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$119,345 · 5 yrs out
Natural Resources and Conservation (Doctorate)
$115,056 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$109,526 · 5 yrs out
Library Science (Doctorate)
$109,070 · 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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