2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
The Community College Of Baltimore County tops our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the international studies program here. 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.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,258 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,115 early in their careers. Set against $20,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University At Buffalo earned it the #3 place for international studies. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at Rowan University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for international studies. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Temple University came in at #6 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $30,754. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
St Lawrence University earned the #7 position for value in international studies this year. St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Canton. Students from in state pay about $65,900 in tuition and fees. International Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $26,016. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Bryn Mawr College earned the #8 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,920. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. International Studies graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,069 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for international studies value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Drexel University earned the #10 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $29,046 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $40,189 early in their careers. Set against $29,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Georgetown University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $79,632. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
The New School landed the #12 spot for international studies value this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. International Studies graduates carry a median of $22,792 in student loans. International Studies graduates of The New School earn a median of $27,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Narrow International Studies Schools by State
More International Studies Rankings
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 · 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.
