2023 Best Value Colleges for International Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California
14
Ranked Colleges
1,569
Degrees Awarded
$14,300
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
International Studies is the 100th most popular major in the country with 7,368 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, international studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,198 and had an average of $21,594 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 1,569 international studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,635 and $16,885 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in international studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent international studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the international studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank International Studies Schools
The international studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 14 Best Value Colleges for International Studies (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 135 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,450 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about International Studies at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 585 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #4 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,823 for California International Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSD.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - San Diego International Studies Report
Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.
UCLA also took the #5 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,037 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCLA.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Studies at UCLA
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 293 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.
UCSB also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on International Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 172 degrees to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also took the #6 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,540 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about International Studies at UC Irvine
University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,287 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USC.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full USC International Studies Report
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 44 degrees to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Studies at CSULB
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 27 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,810 for California International Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about International Studies at University of California - Riverside
San Jose State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 14 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $12,158 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full San Jose State International Studies Report
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUMB has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUMB is $9,192 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full California State University - Monterey Bay International Studies Report
Humboldt State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.
Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,473 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Read full report on International Studies at Humboldt State University
Concordia University, Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Irvine also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Irvine is $23,512 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Concordia University, Irvine International Studies Report
With a ranking of #13, Pepperdine University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Malibu, California, and it awarded 46 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Pepperdine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Pepperdine University is $36,264 for California International Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Pepperdine International Studies Report
University of San Francisco ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. USFCA is a fairly large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 11 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $32,023 for california international studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USFCA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Studies at University of San Francisco
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Yerpo.
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