2027 Best Value International Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[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 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international studies students.
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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
Florida International University earned the #1 spot for value among international studies schools in the United States. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $19,349. 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. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for international studies. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,117. 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. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #4 place for international studies. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. International Studies graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $84,526. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $21,681 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $82,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,681 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Utah placed #6 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. International Studies graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $55,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #7 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $23,529. International Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in international studies this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #9 for value in international studies this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $46,539. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Maine placed #10 among the best values for international studies. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #11 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,966. International Studies graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $37,161 early in their careers. Set against $21,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. International Studies graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $52,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $204,927. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Southern California came in at #16 for value in international studies this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $58,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $25,266. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $48,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of San Francisco earned the #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $47,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University Global Network earned the #19 position for value in international studies this year. Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,688. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $26,331. International Studies graduates of Northeastern University Global Network earn a median of $66,320 early in their careers. Set against $26,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Providence College earned the #20 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $53,208. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Other International Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All International Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
