Where University of Southern California Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all area studies bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | — | $62,809 | — |
| University of California-Berkeley | $50,728 | $77,557 | +53% |
| University of California-Los Angeles | $23,819 | $55,626 | +134% |
| California State University-Long Beach | $28,591 | $51,163 | +79% |
| California State University-Fullerton | $29,316 | $47,728 | +63% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Area Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (39 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles | $68,237 | $27,692* | $62,809 | $19,802* | — |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $50,728* | $77,557 | $14,972* | 0.30 |
 University of California-IrvineIrvine | $14,237 | $30,897* | — | —* | — |
 California State University-FullertonFullerton | $7,073 | $29,316* | $47,728 | $17,500* | 0.60 |
 California State University-Long BeachLong Beach | $7,008 | $28,591* | $51,163 | $15,697* | 0.55 |
 California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge | $7,095 | $26,793* | — | —* | — |
| National Median | — | $34,211* | — | $20,552* | 0.60 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with area studies graduates
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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.