2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in California

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for international studies in California. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,454 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $31,589. Set against $15,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $45,168. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for international studies. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

4

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

5

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at Humboldt State University, which ranked #5. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $19,129 to complete the international studies program here. International 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. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.

6

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #6 among the best values for international studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in international studies 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

8

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $21,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

9

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #9 among the best values for international studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $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 ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $14,093. 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%.

11

California Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

California Maritime Academy placed #11 among the best values for international 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. International Studies graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $84,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.

12

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. International Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

13

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. International Studies graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $58,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.

14

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #14 position for value in international studies this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $47,476. That is a strong return on a $23,935 median debt. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.

15

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. International Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. International 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. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

16

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #16 position for value in international studies this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,542. International 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.