2027 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

[International/Global Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/international-global-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value international/global studies schools.
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2027 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 Southeast Community College Area this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $20,527 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $33,798. Set against $20,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $20,500. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $36,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $23,608. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international/global studies will find it at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $20,250. International/global Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $38,854 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #6 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $25,242 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $28,140. Set against $25,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Macalester College placed #7 among the best values for international/global studies. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $23,324. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $21,176. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.