2027 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 23 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 Southeast 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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for international studies in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $29,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $20,142 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $38,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. International Studies graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $69,434. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of Georgia placed #6 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Western Carolina University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $44,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #9 spot for international studies value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $45,648. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $32,206 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
George Mason University placed #11 among the best values for international studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. International Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of South Alabama earned the #12 position for value in international studies this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $26,513. International Studies graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,991. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $23,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #14 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $25,368. International Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $26,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,368 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston placed #15 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $17,750. International Studies graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $25,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #16 among the best values for international studies. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #17 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career international studies graduates make about $49,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. International Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $21,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Centre College came in at #19 for value in international studies this year. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. International Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $35,367. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Sewanee The University Of The South ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $19,500. International Studies graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $42,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #21 spot for international studies value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,914. International Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $30,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,914 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Richmond came in at #22 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $53,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
Spelman College came in at #23 for value in international studies this year. Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,556. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Spelman College generally make around $25,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 25%.
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
