2027 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
[International/Global Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/international-global-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 102 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international/global studies students.
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Finding the Best Value International/Global Studies School for You
The right international/global studies school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value International/Global Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value International/Global Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international/global studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in international/global studies in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $29,043. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University San Marcos one of the best values for international/global studies. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $39,082 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for international/global studies. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $16,500. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $45,168 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for international/global studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,053. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $44,446. That is a strong return on a $15,053 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $20,142 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $38,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #7 spot for international/global studies value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $53,017. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,454. International/global Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $31,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,454 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,636. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #10 spot for international/global studies value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global 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.
Portland State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #13 spot for international/global studies value this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global 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. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #14 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $14,935. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $44,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $24,119. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Washington State University placed #18 among the best values for international/global studies. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #19 among the best values for international/global studies. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $16,834 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $65,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,834 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,093 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $34,246. That is a strong return on a $14,093 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #21 among the best values for international/global studies. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $33,388. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Western Carolina University earned the #22 position for value in international/global studies this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $24,174. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $44,926. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #23 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $24,618 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $25,307. That is a strong return on a $24,618 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Purdue University Global placed #25 among the best values for international/global studies. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international/global studies:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to International/Global Studies. See all related rankings.
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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 102 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.
