Program Analysis
At $53,779 per year, Area Studies graduates from William & Mary significantly outpace the $35,677 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.
At 6.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The median debt load of $13,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
A #4 ranking out of 66 Area Studies programs nationally puts William & Mary in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $53,779 to $75,576 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.