2026 Best Value International/Global Studies Schools in California

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

For return on investment in international/global studies, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,454 to complete the international/global studies program here. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $31,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $45,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for international/global studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $33,388. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

4

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for international/global studies. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

5

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

6

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #6 for value in international/global studies this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $33,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $39,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

8

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #8 position for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $21,428. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

9

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #9 position for value in international/global studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the international/global studies program here. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $46,660. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

10

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay landed the #10 spot for international/global studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. 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. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

11

California Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

California Maritime Academy came in at #11 for value in international/global studies this year. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,559, with out-of-state students paying around $22,159. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. International/global Studies graduates of California Maritime Academy earn a median of $84,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

12

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.

13

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for international/global studies graduates is $15,625. International/global Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $58,871 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

14

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value international/global studies schools. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.

15

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University came in at #15 for value in international/global studies this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the international/global studies program here. International/global Studies graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $36,920 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

16

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #16 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. In-state tuition and fees average $46,250. International/global Studies graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Early-career international/global studies graduates make about $54,116. Set against $22,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.