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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value International Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

87 Colleges in the United States
$21,188 Avg Student Debt
$67,361 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value International Studies Bachelor's Degree Badge [International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 433 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value International Studies Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for international studies in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $29,043. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for international studies. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $45,168 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $61,925. That is a strong return on a $16,834 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #4 place for international studies. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. International Studies graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $64,133. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.

5

California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,454 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $31,589. Set against $15,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,142 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $38,953. Set against $20,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

7

Florida International University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $53,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

8

San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, 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.

9

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,932. Set against $16,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of California Los Angeles placed #10 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $39,082. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of California Irvine placed #11 among the best values for international 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, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,250. Early-career international studies graduates make about $33,388. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #12 for value in international studies this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $14,792. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $33,553. Set against $14,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.

13

Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #13 position for value in international studies this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $10,000. Early-career international studies graduates make about $29,287. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14

University Of North Florida landed the #14 spot for international studies value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. International Studies graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $30,861. Set against $18,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of California Berkeley came in at #15 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,636. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $46,660. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

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16

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #16 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $15,053. Early-career international studies graduates make about $44,446. That is a strong return on a $15,053 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

17

Humboldt State University came in at #17 for value in international studies this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,129 in student loans. International 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. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.

18

Arizona State University landed the #18 spot for international studies value this year. 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 $21,966 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $37,161. That is a strong return on a $21,966 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

19

University Of Wyoming came in at #19 for value in international studies this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. International Studies graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $29,132. Set against $17,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

20

Portland State University came in at #20 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

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21

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #21 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. International Studies graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

22
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #22 spot for international studies value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $36,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

California State University Monterey Bay landed the #23 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,093 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $34,246. That is a strong return on a $14,093 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

24

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $20,527 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $33,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of California Riverside placed #25 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. International Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $21,428. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Studies Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for international studies this year:

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35
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40
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
41
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44
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
45
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48
49
50

Other International Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value international studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in International Studies
Associate's Degrees in International Studies
Master's Degrees in International Studies
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View All International Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 433 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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