17 Best Private PhD Area Studies Universities in the USA

Compare 48 programs at 17 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 48 Universities 17 Scholarships 0

17 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana · Private University · Est. 1834

US #16 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $39,949/yr
Admission rate: 14%
Earnings (10yr): $63,268
Students: 7,767

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Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1948

US #20 QS World #511 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $35,736/yr
Admission rate: 41%
Earnings (10yr): $77,231
Students: 3,618

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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

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University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1740

US #56 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $28,699/yr
Admission rate: 5%
Earnings (10yr): $111,371
Students: 10,650

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New York University

New York, New York · Private University · Est. 1831

US #61 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $37,050/yr
Admission rate: 9%
Earnings (10yr): $82,509
Students: 28,663

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Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1869

US #68 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $24,402/yr
Admission rate: 11%
Earnings (10yr): $83,238
Students: 18,248

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Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1636

US #74 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $19,066/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $101,817
Students: 7,601

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George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia · Private University · Est. 1821

US #77 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $36,586/yr
Admission rate: 47%
Earnings (10yr): $90,873
Students: 11,182

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Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut · Private University · Est. 1701

US #89 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $23,777/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $100,533
Students: 6,758

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Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland · Private University · Est. 1876

US #93 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $18,809/yr
Admission rate: 6%
Earnings (10yr): $87,555
Students: 5,693

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Cornell University

Ithaca, New York · Private University · Est. 1865

US #98 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $28,690/yr
Admission rate: 9%
Earnings (10yr): $104,043
Students: 15,995

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Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri · Private University · Est. 1818

US #161 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $24,398/yr
Admission rate: 75%
Earnings (10yr): $70,783
Students: 7,267

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Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island · Private University · Est. 1765

US #196 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $25,184/yr
Admission rate: 5%
Earnings (10yr): $93,487
Students: 7,226

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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

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Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia · Private University · Est. 1789

US #248 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $40,815/yr
Admission rate: 13%
Earnings (10yr): $103,494
Students: 7,569

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Howard University

Washington, District of Columbia · Private University · Est. 1867

US #307 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $50,539/yr
Admission rate: 41%
Earnings (10yr): $63,066
Students: 10,108

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Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey · Private University · Est. 1746

US #369 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $6,128/yr
Admission rate: 5%
Earnings (10yr): $110,066
Students: 5,709

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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.

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for private PhD Area Studies universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Tulane University of Louisiana, Brandeis University, University of Southern California. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study private PhD Area Studies universities in the USA?

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 private PhD Area Studies universities in the USA?

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.

About private PhD Area Studies universities in the USA

This page lists private PhD Area Studies universities in the USA 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.

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