2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value international studies schools.
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2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
For return on investment in international studies, no school beat Brigham Young University Idaho this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $10,000. International Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $29,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,618. Early-career international studies graduates make about $25,307. That is a strong return on a $24,618 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Wyoming came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $17,375. International Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $29,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. International Studies graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $46,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Colorado State University Fort Collins one of the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,763 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $28,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Boise State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $49,059 early in their careers. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #7 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $17,600. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $33,892. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
