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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 Middle Atlantic 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
Stony Brook University earned the #1 spot for value among international studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $20,258. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,115. That is a strong return on a $20,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rowan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. International Studies graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. International Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple University earned it the #4 place for international studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $25,125. International Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $30,754 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $16,155. Early-career international studies graduates make about $204,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
St Lawrence University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,900. International Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $26,016. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for international studies value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #8 among the best values for international studies. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $29,046 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international 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.
Georgetown University landed the #9 spot for international studies value this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $79,632. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Bryn Mawr College came in at #10 for value in international studies this year. Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. In-state tuition and fees average $65,920. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $35,668. That is a strong return on a $23,069 median debt. 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international studies education at a price that pays off.
