2023 Best Value Colleges for International Studies (With Aid)
125
Ranked Colleges
7,368
Degrees Awarded
$13,800
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 For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 7,368 people earned their degree in international studies, making the major the 100th most popular in the United States. 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.
This year’s “Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 125 colleges that offered 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.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the international studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for International Studies (With Aid)
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 90 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UF also took the #20 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,135 for International Studies students with aid per year to attend University of Florida.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on International Studies at University of Florida
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 234 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at American Military University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,563 for International Studies students with aid per year to attend American Public University System.
With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about International Studies at American Military University
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #3 spot on the list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 585 students in 2020-2021.
UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best International Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for international studies students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about International Studies at University of California - San Diego
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 135 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our international studies students with aid list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best International Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $16,032 for international studies students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read more about International Studies at University of California - Berkeley
Out of the 125 schools in the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,469 for international studies students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 UNC Chapel Hill International Studies Report
University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 293 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for international studies students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full UCSB International Studies Report
University of California - Irvine landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 172 diplomas to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best International Studies Schools” list. It costs about $12,209 for international studies students with aid per year to attend University of California - Irvine.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on International Studies at University of California - Irvine
With a ranking of #8, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 209 students in 2020-2021.
U-M also made our “Best International Studies Schools” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $14,878 for International Studies students with aid per year to attend U-M.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
University of California - Los Angeles came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 42 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #10 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $15,023 for international studies students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 UCLA International Studies Report
Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 165 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.
ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best International Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend ASU - Tempe is $13,107 for International Studies students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.
Read full report on International Studies at ASU - Tempe
University of Utah ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of Utah is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 147 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best International Studies Schools” list. It costs about $13,572 for international studies students with aid per year to attend University of Utah.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Studies at U of U
Florida International University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 68 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,298 for International Studies students with aid per year to attend Florida International University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.
Read full report on International Studies at FIU
University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 95 diplomas to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our international studies students with aid list, UW - Madison has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best International Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for international studies students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison International Studies Report
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 54 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,321 for international studies students with aid per year to attend UIUC.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign International Studies Report
With a ranking of #15, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $10,054 for international studies students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about International Studies at California State University - Long Beach
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 198 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best International Studies Schools” list. It costs about $18,350 for international studies students with aid per year to attend UT Austin.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UT Austin International Studies Report
University of Pennsylvania came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 117 students in 2020-2021.
UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best International Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $25,046 for international studies students with aid.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Studies at University of Pennsylvania
University of Central Florida landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 67 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UCF is $8,618 for International Studies students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Central Florida International Studies Report
Brigham Young University - Idaho ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. BYU - I is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Rexburg, Idaho. It awarded 68 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,698 for International Studies students with aid per year to attend BYU - I.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 BYU - I International Studies Report
University of North Florida ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Florida is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UNF is $8,865 for International Studies students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Studies at UNF
North Carolina State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $16,411 for International Studies students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on International Studies at NC State
Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 160 students in 2020-2021.
Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best International Studies Schools” list. It costs about $18,919 for international studies students with aid per year to attend Texas A&M College Station.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about International Studies at Texas A&M College Station
Colby College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Colby, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $19,597 for International Studies students with aid per year to attend Colby College.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Colby College International Studies Report
University of Oregon landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Oregon is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 82 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Oregon is $18,047 for international studies students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Studies at UO
University of North Texas ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school awarded 70 degrees to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UNT is $14,122 for International Studies students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on International Studies at University of North Texas
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