Area Studiesat University of Maryland-College Park
Graduates earn $24,699/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Area Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $694K; scenarios range from $614K to $722K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Maryland-College Park
While the raw earnings figures might seem discouraging, they reflect a specific, prestigious career track common for UMD graduates. Your proximity to Washington, D.C., creates an unparalleled pipeline into federal government, intelligence agencies, international non-profits, and policy think tanks. These fields often prioritize passion and public service over high initial salaries, and many roles require lengthy security clearances that can delay peak earning years. You aren’t competing for corporate jobs; you’re competing for coveted roles at the State Department, USAID, or the Brookings Institution. The Area Studies curriculum here is designed to build the deep regional expertise these employers demand. To maximize your prospects, aggressively pursue D.C.-based internships throughout your undergraduate career—they are the primary gateway to a full-time offer in this unique ecosystem.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Maryland-College Park's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Area Studies
How University of Maryland-College Park stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Maryland-College Park
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Maryland-College Park, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Area Studies at University of Maryland-College Park
What does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Area Studies at University of Maryland-College Park?
At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Area Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Area Studies at University of Maryland-College Park?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Maryland-College Park a good choice for Area Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Maryland-College Park's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.