2027 Best Value International Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 87 schools to find the best return on investment for international studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Studies Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among international studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $29,043 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for international studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $39,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for international studies. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $45,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,053 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $44,446 early in their careers. Set against $15,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for international studies. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,953. That is a strong return on a $20,142 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,454 in student loans. International Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $31,589 early in their careers. Set against $15,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #8 for value in international studies this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international 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 came in at #9 for value in international studies 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, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,636. International Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #10 among the best values for international studies. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $64,133. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.
Portland State University earned the #11 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #12 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #13 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #14 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,834 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $65,492. Set against $16,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #15 position for value in international studies this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $14,093. Early-career international studies graduates make about $34,246. That is a strong return on a $14,093 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #16 for value in international studies this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,250. Early-career international studies graduates make about $33,388. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #17 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. Early-career international studies graduates make about $44,926. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #18 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $24,618 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $25,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 for value in international studies this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,628 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $30,438. That is a strong return on a $21,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #20 for value in international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $14,792. International Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $33,553 early in their careers. Set against $14,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
San Diego State University came in at #21 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #22 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,966 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $37,161. That is a strong return on a $21,966 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #23 for value in international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,681. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $32,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #24 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $20,527 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $33,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $17,375. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $29,132. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international studies:
Other International Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value international studies schools at other degree levels:
View All International Studies Rankings >
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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
