2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

[International/Global Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/international-global-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for international/global studies students.
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2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international/global studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
Leading the list is Temple University, our #1 best value for international/global studies in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $30,754. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $204,927 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international/global studies will find it at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international/global studies will find it at Drexel University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $29,046 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $40,189. Set against $29,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bryn Mawr College earned it the #5 place for international/global studies. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,920. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Bryn Mawr College generally make around $35,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.