2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in North Carolina
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in North Carolina
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 North Carolina At Charlotte, our #1 best value for international studies in North Carolina. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, international 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. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $45,648. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington, which ranked #3. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $21,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Elon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,619. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. That is a strong return on a $21,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
More International Studies Rankings
View All International Studies Rankings >
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
