Program Analysis
A Barnard degree in Area Studies isn't about landing a high-paying corporate job right out of the gate. The financial data reflects that many graduates pursue further education—like law school or a Ph.D.—or accept prestigious but low-paying fellowships and non-profit roles. Your real advantage lies in the Columbia University ecosystem and Barnard's powerful alumni network, which are pipelines into the State Department, international NGOs, and top-tier graduate programs. You're not just studying a region; you're doing it in New York City, with access to the UN and countless cultural institutions for internships. The key to unlocking this degree's value is to treat your undergraduate years as pre-professional training. Use your location to secure a substantive internship every summer, build relationships with faculty who are leaders in their field, and plan for a post-graduate degree from day one.