California Bachelor's Area Studies Universities

Compare 38 programs at 38 universities in California — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 38 Universities 38 Scholarships 0

38 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #4 QS World #189 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,251/yr
Admission rate: 29%
Earnings (10yr): $80,735
Students: 30,197

View

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California · Public University · Est. 1891

US #5 QS World #200 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,109/yr
Admission rate: 33%
Earnings (10yr): $74,915
Students: 23,113

View

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #12 QS World #380 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,890/yr
Admission rate: 66%
Earnings (10yr): $68,396
Students: 17,940

View

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, California · Public University · Est. 1954

US #13 QS World #400 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,304/yr
Admission rate: 76%
Earnings (10yr): $67,699
Students: 22,593

View

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California · Private University · Est. 1880

US #51 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $32,740/yr
Admission rate: 10%
Earnings (10yr): $92,498
Students: 20,443

View

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, California · Public University · Est. 1868

US #90 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $13,481/yr
Admission rate: 11%
Earnings (10yr): $92,446
Students: 33,068

View

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California · Public University · Est. 1919

US #95 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $12,548/yr
Admission rate: 9%
Earnings (10yr): $82,511
Students: 33,475

View

University of California-Davis

Davis, California · Public University · Est. 1905

US #108 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,741/yr
Admission rate: 42%
Earnings (10yr): $80,838
Students: 32,253

View

San Diego State University

San Diego, California · Public University · Est. 1897

US #148 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $15,364/yr
Admission rate: 36%
Earnings (10yr): $64,909
Students: 35,377

View

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California · Public University · Est. 1899

US #155 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $12,278/yr
Admission rate: 96%
Earnings (10yr): $68,077
Students: 18,639

View

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, California · Public University · Est. 1960

US #189 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $12,470/yr
Admission rate: 27%
Earnings (10yr): $84,943
Students: 34,948

View

Stanford University

Stanford, California · Private University · Est. 1885

US #198 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $13,807/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $124,080
Students: 7,554

View

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, California · Public University · Est. 1949

US #199 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $10,440/yr
Admission rate: 46%
Earnings (10yr): $64,403
Students: 35,924

View

University of San Diego

San Diego, California · Private University · Est. 1949

US #219 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $30,365/yr
Admission rate: 52%
Earnings (10yr): $86,522
Students: 5,671

View

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, California · Public University · Est. 1958

US #250 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $7,021/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $59,115
Students: 32,691

View

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California · Private University · Est. 1851

US #253 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $25,447/yr
Admission rate: 71%
Earnings (10yr): $78,445
Students: 3,204

View

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California · Public University · Est. 1947

US #257 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $3,967/yr
Admission rate: 91%
Earnings (10yr): $59,211
Students: 19,562

View

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, California · Public University · Est. 1911

US #274 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $7,000/yr
Admission rate: 95%
Earnings (10yr): $61,244
Students: 21,605

View

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, California · Public University · Est. 1957

US #310 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $6,555/yr
Admission rate: 91%
Earnings (10yr): $62,951
Students: 38,546

View

University of Redlands

Redlands, California · Private University · Est. 1907

US #327 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,031/yr
Admission rate: 83%
Earnings (10yr): $72,690
Students: 2,049

View

University of La Verne

La Verne, California · Private University · Est. 1891

US #357 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,161/yr
Admission rate: 71%
Earnings (10yr): $65,464
Students: 3,050

View

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California · Private University · Est. 1899

US #362 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $22,212/yr
Admission rate: 88%
Earnings (10yr): $66,677
Students: 2,759

View

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California · Private University · Est. 1855

US #365 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $41,431/yr
Admission rate: 62%
Earnings (10yr): $89,812
Students: 5,287

View

California State University-Chico

Chico, California · Public University · Est. 1887

US #379 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,480/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $64,172
Students: 13,631

View

What this subject pays

Graduates of Area Studies programmes report a median $33,325 two years after finishing, across 118 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $21,220.

Area Studies pay by degree level →

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for bachelor's Area Studies universities in California?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include University of California-Irvine, University of California-Santa Barbara, University of California-Santa Cruz. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study bachelor's Area Studies universities in California?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying bachelor's Area Studies universities in California?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

Why study in California?

Filtering by California keeps living costs, in-state tuition eligibility and part-time work in one place — the results above are limited to institutions located there.

About bachelor's Area Studies universities in California

This page lists bachelor's Area Studies universities in California held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

Get the USA university & scholarship updates

New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides — a couple of emails a month, no spam.