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2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

14 Ranked Colleges
1,569 Degrees Awarded
$14,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 7,368 people earned their degree in international studies, making the major the 100th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, international studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,198 and had an average of $21,594 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 1,569 international studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,635 and $16,885 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 14 colleges that offered a degree in international studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality international studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the international studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 14 Best Value Colleges for International Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 135 diplomas to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,999 for California International Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on International Studies at University of California - Berkeley

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,891 for California International Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCLA International Studies Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 585 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $11,176 for california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on International Studies at UCSD

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 172 diplomas to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $8,449 for California International Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Irvine International Studies Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 293 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $11,606 for California International Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Studies at UCSB

6

California State University - Long Beach came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 44 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSULB has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $7,573 for california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full California State University - Long Beach International Studies Report

7
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 23 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

USC also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,345 for california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Southern California International Studies Report

8

University of California - Riverside ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for California International Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Riverside International Studies Report

9
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #9, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 14 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,378 for California International Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Jose State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on International Studies at San Jose State University

10

California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Monterey Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 16 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUMB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUMB is $10,711 for California International Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Studies at California State University - Monterey Bay

11
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 17 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Humboldt State University also made our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $12,298 for california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about International Studies at Humboldt State University

12
Concordia University, Irvine crest
Concordia University, Irvine
Irvine, California

Concordia University, Irvine ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Irvine, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Concordia University, Irvine has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Irvine is $23,262 for california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Studies at Concordia University, Irvine

13
Pepperdine crest
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California

Pepperdine University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Malibu, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pepperdine has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best International Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pepperdine University is $25,909 for California International Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Pepperdine University International Studies Report

14
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #14, University of San Francisco did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 11 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best International Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $31,994 for california international studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of San Francisco.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Studies at University of San Francisco

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