2026 Best Value International Studies Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in international studies, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $29,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $16,500. Early-career international studies graduates make about $45,168. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $61,925. Set against $16,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

4

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $19,349. International Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $53,017 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

5

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place for international studies. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,454 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $31,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,454 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for value in international studies this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $20,142. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,953. Set against $20,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #7 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. 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. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #8 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $65,932. Set against $16,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

9

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System placed #9 among the best values for international studies. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. International Studies graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. International Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $69,434 early in their careers. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career international studies graduates make about $39,082. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

11

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for international studies value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,250. International Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $33,388 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

12

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. International Studies graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $33,553. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

13

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. International Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. International Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $29,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $30,861. Set against $18,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #15 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

16

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #16 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $54,697. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

17

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #17 for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,636. International Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

18

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area landed the #18 spot for international studies value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. International Studies graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #19 position for value in international studies this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,053 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $44,446. That is a strong return on a $15,053 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

20

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #20 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,962 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $40,776. That is a strong return on a $20,962 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

21

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $19,129. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $34,928. Set against $19,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

22

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming placed #22 among the best values for international studies. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $29,132. That is a strong return on a $17,375 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

23

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University earned the #23 position for value in international studies this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. International Studies graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

24

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

25

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #25 for value in international studies this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.