2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

[International/Global Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/international-global-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international/global studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international/global studies schools.
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2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international/global studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in international/global studies in the Southeast Region. 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, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for international/global studies. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #3 place for international/global studies. 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. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $13,125. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $69,434. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in international/global studies will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $20,142 to complete the international/global studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Florida earned it the #5 place for international/global studies. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $18,625. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $30,861. That is a strong return on a $18,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Georgia landed the #6 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for international/global studies. 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, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the best values for international/global studies. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $22,500. International/global Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $45,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $32,206. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
George Mason University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #11 spot for international/global studies value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Kentucky landed the #12 spot for international/global studies value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $25,368 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $26,104 early in their careers. Set against $25,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #13 among the best values for international/global studies. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $21,500. International/global Studies graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $21,830. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
College Of Charleston earned the #15 position for value in international/global studies this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $17,750. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $25,764. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Centre College earned the #16 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $35,367. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Centre College admits about 54% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #17 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,120. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $42,390. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,914 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global 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. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Students borrow a median of $24,787 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earn a median of $54,317 early in their careers. Set against $24,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Richmond came in at #20 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $21,634. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $53,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Spelman College earned the #21 position for value in international/global 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. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $25,753. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Elon University landed the #22 spot for international/global studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,958. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $21,619. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $50,463. Set against $21,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.