2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 433 schools to find the best return on investment for international/global studies students.
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2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international/global studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
For return on investment in international/global studies, no school beat Florida International University this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $19,349. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $53,017. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $33,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $84,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in international/global studies will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $20,542. International/global Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Utah came in at #6 for value in international/global studies this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $55,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $22,337. International/global Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #8 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #9 position for value in international/global studies this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $46,539 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #10 spot for international/global studies value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $21,681 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $82,287 early in their careers. Set against $21,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Maine came in at #12 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Arizona State University Skysong placed #13 among the best values for international/global studies. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $21,966 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $37,161 early in their careers. Set against $21,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #14 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $19,891. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,362. That is a strong return on a $19,891 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $204,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Southern California ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $58,871. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach came in at #18 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $24,787. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $54,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver came in at #19 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Francisco earned the #20 position for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $47,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
Northeastern University Global Network ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,688. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $27,055. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $66,320. Set against $27,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other International/Global Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value international/global studies schools at other degree levels:
View All International/Global Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 433 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
