2027 Best Value International Economics Master’s Degree Schools
[International Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/international-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for international economics students.
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2027 Best Value International Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California Los Angeles the best value for a degree in international economics in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. International Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. International Economics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for international economics. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $51,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international economics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. International Economics graduates carry a median of $14,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $14,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #4 place for international economics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,197 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $13,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the best values for international economics. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,017 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,017 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Georgia State University landed the #6 spot for international economics value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the international economics program here. International Economics graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $57,518 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University earned the #7 position for value in international economics this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $44,292. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $60,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
George Washington University placed #9 among the best values for international economics. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $82,787. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. International Economics graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career international economics graduates make about $79,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
American University landed the #11 spot for international economics value this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. International Economics graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. International Economics graduates of American University earn a median of $54,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Claremont Graduate University landed the #12 spot for international economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Graduate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Early-career international economics graduates make about $68,239.
Other International Economics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International Economics rankings across degree levels:
View All International Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
