2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[International/Global Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/international-global-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international/global studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 433 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international/global studies schools.
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2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international/global studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
For return on investment in international/global studies, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $29,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $45,168. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $16,834. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $61,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #4 makes American Public University System one of the best values for international/global studies. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $64,133 early in their careers. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place for international/global studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,454 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $31,589. Set against $15,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,142 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $38,953. Set against $20,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #7 among the best values for international/global studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $53,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
San Jose State University earned the #8 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #9 among the best values for international/global studies. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $65,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $39,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for international/global studies value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,250. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $33,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #12 among the best values for international/global studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $33,553. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $29,287. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Florida earned the #14 position for value in international/global studies this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $18,625. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $30,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #15 for value in international/global studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $46,660. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,053 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $44,446. Set against $15,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Humboldt State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $19,129 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $34,928 early in their careers. Set against $19,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #18 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,966 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $37,161. That is a strong return on a $21,966 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wyoming came in at #19 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,375 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $29,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $26,475. International/global Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #21 for value in international/global studies this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #22 position for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $36,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #23 position for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $14,093. International/global Studies graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $34,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #24 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $20,527 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $33,798 early in their careers. Set against $20,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside placed #25 among the best values for international/global studies. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $21,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for international/global studies this year:
Other International/Global Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International/Global Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All International/Global Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 433 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
