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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 Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Studies Schools
Arizona State University tops our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,962 in student loans. International Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $40,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for international studies. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,033 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $30,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Oklahoma State University Main Campus one of the best values for international studies. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,337. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #4 place for international studies. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. International Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $36,978. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Arlington earned it the #5 place for international studies. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $25,028 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $29,118. Set against $25,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #6 among the best values for international studies. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $21,681 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $57,208 early in their careers. Set against $21,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #7 spot for international studies value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,313. International Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $37,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #8 spot for international studies value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $18,535. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. International Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $28,238. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #10 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $41,886 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
