Area Studies at University of Southern California
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Area Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (39 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | — | $62,809 | — | — |
| University of California-Berkeley | $50,728 | $77,557 | $14,972 | 0.30 |
| University of California-Irvine | $30,897 | — | — | — |
| California State University-Fullerton | $29,316 | $47,728 | $17,500 | 0.60 |
| California State University-Long Beach | $28,591 | $51,163 | $15,697 | 0.55 |
| California State University-Northridge | $26,793 | — | — | — |
| National Median | $34,211 | — | $20,552 | 0.60 |
Other Area Studies Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $14,850 | $50,728 | $14,972 |
| University of California-Irvine Irvine | $14,237 | $30,897 | — |
| California State University-Fullerton Fullerton | $7,073 | $29,316 | $17,500 |
| California State University-Long Beach Long Beach | $7,008 | $28,591 | $15,697 |
| California State University-Northridge Northridge | $7,095 | $26,793 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Southern California, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.