2026 Best Value International Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

Florida International University
Miami, FL

For return on investment in international studies, no school beat Florida International University this year. 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. 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. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #2 place for international studies. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the international studies program here. 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. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

3

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. International Studies graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $84,526. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Students looking for strong value in international studies will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

5

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

6

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #6 spot for international studies value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $55,241. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for international studies value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

8

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #8 for value in international studies this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

9

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #9 spot for international studies value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career international studies graduates make about $46,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #10 among the best values for international studies. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,681. Early-career international studies graduates make about $82,287. That is a strong return on a $21,681 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #11 for value in international studies this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine landed the #12 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $47,975. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

13

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong placed #13 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,966. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $37,161. Set against $21,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.

14

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame placed #14 among the best values for international studies. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $19,891. Early-career international studies graduates make about $69,362. That is a strong return on a $19,891 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. International Studies graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $204,927. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

16

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in international studies this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

17

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #17 position for value in international studies this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $58,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

18

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach placed #18 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,787. Early-career international studies graduates make about $54,317. That is a strong return on a $24,787 median debt. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach admits about 82% of applicants.

19

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

20

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #20 position for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. International Studies graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $47,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.

21

Northeastern University Global Network
Boston, MA

Northeastern University Global Network ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,688. Students borrow a median of $27,055 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of Northeastern University Global Network earn a median of $66,320 early in their careers. Set against $27,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.