2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international studies students.
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2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Studies Schools
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among international studies schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $204,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Temple University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #2 spot 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. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Bryn Mawr College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,920. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $23,069. Early-career international studies graduates make about $35,668. Set against $23,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $48,275. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #5 makes Drexel University one of the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. International Studies graduates carry a median of $29,046 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $40,189. That is a strong return on a $29,046 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
More International Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.