2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international studies students.
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2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in international studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $15,053 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. International Studies graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. International Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. 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.
Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. International Studies graduates carry a median of $21,628 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $30,438 early in their careers. Set against $21,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $26,738. Early-career international studies graduates make about $31,433. Set against $26,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best values for international studies. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $40,594. Set against $20,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. International Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $38,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $19,891. International Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,891 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton came in at #9 for value in international studies this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,199. International Studies graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $32,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #10 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $25,340. International Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #11 for value in international studies this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Kenyon College earned the #12 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. International Studies graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $37,976. That is a strong return on a $18,114 median debt. Kenyon College admits about 31% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
