ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured International Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Studies Schools
For return on investment in international studies, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,454. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $31,589. Set against $15,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $45,168. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $61,925. Set against $16,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,834 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $65,932. Set against $16,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,250. International Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $33,388 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Jose State University landed the #6 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $34,928. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Portland State University placed #8 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career international studies graduates make about $39,082. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. International Studies graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $33,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside came in at #11 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $21,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Washington State University landed the #12 spot for international studies value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #13 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,636. Early-career international studies graduates make about $46,660. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #14 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,093 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $34,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,093 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #15 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
California Maritime Academy ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,559, while out-of-state students pay about $22,159. International Studies graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $84,745. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon landed the #17 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $19,500. International Studies graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $28,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California landed the #18 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $58,871. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Seattle University placed #19 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $63,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of San Francisco earned the #20 position for value in international studies this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $47,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international studies education at a price that pays off.
