2027 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[International/Global Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/international-global-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for international/global studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international/global studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among international/global studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,053 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $44,446. That is a strong return on a $15,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned it the #2 place for international/global studies. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $24,119. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #3 place for international/global studies. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $36,778. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $54,278. That is a strong return on a $36,778 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $21,628. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $30,438. Set against $21,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $26,738. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $31,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,738 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $40,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $27,000. International/global Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $38,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #8 for value in international/global studies this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Students borrow a median of $24,199 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $32,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #10 among the best values for international/global studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #11 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Kenyon College placed #12 among the best values for international/global studies. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow International/Global Studies Schools by State
More International/Global Studies Rankings
View All International/Global Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.