2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in Virginia
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for international studies students.
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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 Virginia
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 George Mason University, our #1 best value for international studies in Virginia. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. International Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Liberty University earned it the #2 place for international studies. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $22,914 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $30,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Richmond earned it the #3 place for international studies. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. International Studies graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $53,815. Set against $21,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
