2026 Best Value International & Comparative Education Master’s Degree Schools

[International & Comparative Education](/majors/education/international-education/international-and-comparative-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international & comparative education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international & comparative education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value International & Comparative Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international & comparative education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International & Comparative Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Arizona State University Skysong the best value for a degree in international & comparative education in the United States. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. International & Comparative Education graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. Early-career international & comparative education graduates make about $55,793. That is a strong return on a $23,742 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international & comparative education schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for international & comparative education graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, international & comparative education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #3 makes George Washington University one of the best values for international & comparative education. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the international & comparative education program here. Early-career international & comparative education graduates make about $59,211. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Endicott College earned it the #4 place for international & comparative education. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. International & Comparative Education graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international & comparative education degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $55,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Teachers College At Columbia University earned it the #5 place for international & comparative education. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. International & Comparative Education graduates of Teachers College At Columbia University earn a median of $66,758 early in their careers.
Other International & Comparative Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value international & comparative education schools at other degree levels:
View All International & Comparative Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.