[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-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 102 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value international studies schools.
Finding the Best Value International Studies School for You
The international studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value International Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value International Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
For return on investment in international studies, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. International Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $29,043. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Marcos earned it the #2 place for international studies. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $39,082. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for international studies. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $45,168. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $15,053 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $44,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $20,142. International Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $38,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #7 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. International Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $53,017 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for international studies value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,454 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $31,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,454 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #9 for value in international studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,636. Early-career international studies graduates make about $46,660. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #10 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System earned the #11 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $13,125. International Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $69,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland State University placed #12 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. International Studies graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #13 among the best values for international studies. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $29,287. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Georgia landed the #14 spot for international studies value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #15 for value in international studies this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $14,935. International Studies graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #16 among the best values for international studies. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $49,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Washington State University landed the #18 spot for international studies value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. International Studies graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. International Studies graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #19 for value in international studies this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #20 spot for international studies value this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. International Studies graduates carry a median of $14,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $34,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $33,388. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University landed the #22 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,174. International Studies graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $44,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #23 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $24,618 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $25,307. That is a strong return on a $24,618 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #24 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $18,038. International Studies graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,778 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international studies:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 102 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).
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
