College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

12 Colleges in the United States
$23,571 Avg Student Debt
$69,236 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value International/Global Studies Badge [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

1

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%.

2

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%.

3
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

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.

4

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%.

5

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.

6

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.

7
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

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%.

8

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.

9

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.

10
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

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.

11

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.

12
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

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

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options