ADVERTISEMENTS
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 New England 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
For return on investment in international studies, no school beat University Of Vermont this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $33,757. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Colby College one of the best values for international studies. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $42,756. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at University Of Maine, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $25,984. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Clark University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $43,257. That is a strong return on a $26,153 median debt. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brandeis University earned it the #5 place for international studies. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $25,694. International Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $36,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #6 spot for international studies value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,500. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $46,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College earned the #7 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $51,371. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow International Studies Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
