2026 Best Value International Business/Trade/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region

[International Business/Trade/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/international-business/international-business-trade-commerce/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 106 schools to find the best return on investment for international business/trade/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value International Business/Trade/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international business/trade/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Business/Trade/Commerce Schools
Florida Atlantic University earned the #1 spot for value among international business/trade/commerce schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $17,500. International Business/trade/commerce graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $47,047 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida International University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international business/trade/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $17,750. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $53,130. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international business/trade/commerce will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $16,936. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $44,096. Set against $16,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for international business/trade/commerce. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. International Business/trade/commerce graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,379. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international business/trade/commerce will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the international business/trade/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #6 among the best values for international business/trade/commerce. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the international business/trade/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value international business/trade/commerce schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. International Business/trade/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $53,036. Set against $21,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Memphis landed the #8 spot for international business/trade/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $40,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Valdosta State University placed #9 among the best values for international business/trade/commerce. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $28,661. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $30,567. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #10 for value in international business/trade/commerce this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $26,930. International Business/trade/commerce graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $26,930 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Troy University landed the #11 spot for international business/trade/commerce value this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. International Business/trade/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $46,723. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Georgia State University came in at #12 for value in international business/trade/commerce this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $26,091. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #13 spot for international business/trade/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. International Business/trade/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $59,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value international business/trade/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. International Business/trade/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,842 in student loans. International Business/trade/commerce graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $45,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #15 for value in international business/trade/commerce this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $18,000. International Business/trade/commerce graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston placed #16 among the best values for international business/trade/commerce. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $37,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Harding University placed #17 among the best values for international business/trade/commerce. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the international business/trade/commerce program here. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $53,629. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
James Madison University came in at #18 for value in international business/trade/commerce this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $16,154 to complete the international business/trade/commerce program here. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $52,997. That is a strong return on a $16,154 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
John Brown University came in at #19 for value in international business/trade/commerce this year. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,756 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,216 to complete the international business/trade/commerce program here. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $50,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Stetson University earned the #20 position for value in international business/trade/commerce this year. Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of DeLand. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,410. International Business/trade/commerce graduates carry a median of $25,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international business/trade/commerce degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $38,839. That is a strong return on a $25,382 median debt. Stetson University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #21 spot for international business/trade/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $18,627. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $88,745. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value international business/trade/commerce schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $25,174. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $76,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Saint Thomas University came in at #23 for value in international business/trade/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,770. International Business/trade/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,955 in student loans. International Business/trade/commerce graduates of Saint Thomas University earn a median of $55,292 early in their careers. Set against $24,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Thomas University admits about 98% of applicants.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach placed #24 among the best values for international business/trade/commerce. Set in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Students borrow a median of $24,787 to complete the international business/trade/commerce program here. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $54,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach admits about 82% of applicants.
Eckerd College earned the #25 position for value in international business/trade/commerce this year. Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $51,884. Typical student debt for international business/trade/commerce graduates is $25,559. Early-career international business/trade/commerce graduates make about $28,012. That is a strong return on a $25,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value International Business/Trade/Commerce Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for international business/trade/commerce this year:
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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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.