2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
[International/Global Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/international-global-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international/global studies students.
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2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international/global studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International/Global Studies Schools
California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,454. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $31,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for international/global studies. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $45,168. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international/global studies will find it at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $16,834 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $61,925. Set against $16,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $16,834. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,250. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $33,388. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #6 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University placed #7 among the best values for international/global studies. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $19,129 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $34,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #8 among the best values for international/global studies. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $26,475. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $12,000. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $39,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $33,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $21,428. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University landed the #12 spot for international/global studies value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $21,903. International/global Studies graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #13 position for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #14 for value in international/global studies this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $14,093. International/global Studies graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $34,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #15 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
California Maritime Academy placed #16 among the best values for international/global studies. Located in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,559, with out-of-state students paying around $22,159. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $84,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Oregon landed the #17 spot for international/global studies value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $28,502 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Southern California earned the #18 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $58,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Seattle University earned the #19 position for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $63,214. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of San Francisco came in at #20 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $23,935. International/global Studies graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $47,476 early in their careers. Set against $23,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Pepperdine University landed the #21 spot for international/global studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $26,000. International/global Studies graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $36,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $22,542. International/global Studies graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $54,116 early in their careers. Set against $22,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Loma Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
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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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
