2027 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international/global studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for international/global studies students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Florida International University the best value for a degree in international/global studies in the United States. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $53,017. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, 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. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
American Public University System came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the best values for international/global studies. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Utah earned the #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $55,241. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
George Mason University placed #7 among the best values for international/global studies. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for international/global studies. 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, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Arizona placed #9 among the best values for international/global studies. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $46,539. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Maine placed #10 among the best values for international/global studies. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $25,984. 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%.
University Of Kansas came in at #11 for value in international/global studies this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #12 spot for international/global studies value this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $21,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $37,161. Set against $21,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,368 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $52,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #14 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $204,927. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Southern California placed #16 among the best values for international/global studies. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $58,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for international/global studies value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $48,275. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Francisco placed #18 among the best values for international/global studies. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $47,476. Set against $23,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
Northeastern University Global Network earned the #19 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,688. Students borrow a median of $26,331 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $66,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Providence College earned the #20 position for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $63,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of Providence College earn a median of $53,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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 list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
