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Featured International Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for international studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,053. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $44,446. Set against $15,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $20,542. Early-career international studies graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,628. Early-career international studies graduates make about $30,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #4 place for international studies. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $54,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Set against $20,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #6 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. International Studies graduates carry a median of $26,738 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $31,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Michigan State University placed #7 among the best values for international studies. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career international studies graduates make about $38,410. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Western Michigan University came in at #8 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $32,147. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $29,013. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #10 for value in international studies this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $69,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #11 among the best values for international studies. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,989 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $41,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Dayton earned the #12 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. International Studies graduates carry a median of $24,199 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $32,994. That is a strong return on a $24,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #13 spot for international studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #14 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $25,106. International Studies graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Set against $25,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-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.
