2027 Best Value International/Global Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[International/Global Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/international-global-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international/global studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international/global studies students.
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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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among international/global studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $29,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Marcos earned it the #2 place for international/global studies. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. 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/global Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $39,082. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $45,168. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in international/global studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. 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. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $44,446 early in their careers. Set against $15,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $20,142 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $38,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $15,454 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $31,589. Set against $15,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Florida International University came in at #8 for value in international/global studies 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $53,017. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #9 position for value in international/global studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
American Public University System landed the #10 spot for international/global studies value this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $13,125. International/global Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $64,133 early in their careers. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland State University placed #11 among the best values for international/global studies. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #12 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. 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. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #13 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global 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. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #14 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $16,834. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,492. That is a strong return on a $16,834 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #15 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $34,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,250. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $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 came in at #17 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. 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/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $44,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #18 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $24,618 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $25,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,628 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $30,438. That is a strong return on a $21,628 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #20 among the best values for international/global studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $33,553. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
San Diego State University came in at #21 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $21,966. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $37,161. That is a strong return on a $21,966 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #23 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,681 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $32,129 early in their careers. Set against $21,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #24 among the best values for international/global studies. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $20,527. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $33,798. Set against $20,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wyoming landed the #25 spot for international/global studies value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $17,375. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $29,132 early in their careers. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international/global studies:
Other International/Global Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International/Global Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All International/Global Studies 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
