Area Studies at University of Oregon

University of Oregon's Area Studies program produces earnings that lag nationally but actually match the Oregon median exactly—though that's partly because only 10 schools in the state offer this degree, making comparisons less meaningful. More concerning is the absolute starting salary of $31,427, which falls well below the national figure for this field and would make managing even the modest $20,251 debt load challenging in Oregon's increasingly expensive cities.

The 18% earnings bump to $36,916 by year four shows some momentum, but that's still $6,700 below what typical Area Studies graduates earn elsewhere. Given UO's relatively accessible 85% admission rate, students might reasonably ask whether this program delivers enough specialized expertise to justify its below-average outcomes. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty—these numbers could shift significantly with more data.

For Oregon families, the real calculation is straightforward: your graduate will likely earn what other Area Studies majors in the state earn, but less than they would have earned at programs elsewhere. Unless this particular program offers unique language combinations, regional expertise, or professional connections that open specific doors, the data suggests looking either at stronger Area Studies programs out of state or at different majors within UO that might offer better returns.