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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

22 Colleges in the United States
$21,378 Avg Student Debt
$63,300 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value International Studies Badge [International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for international studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value International Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value International Studies Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in international studies in the Southeast Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $29,043. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

Florida International University came in at #2 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. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. International Studies graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $53,017. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

3

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. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $69,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for international studies. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Florida earned it the #5 place for international studies. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $18,625. International Studies graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $30,861 early in their careers. Set against $18,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Georgia earned the #6 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. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

7

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #7 position 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. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $24,323. 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. The acceptance rate is 14%.

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,500. International Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $45,648 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

9

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. International Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $32,206 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

10

George Mason University earned the #10 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. 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. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

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11

The University Of Tennessee ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

12

University Of Kentucky came in at #12 for value in international studies this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,368 to complete the international studies program here. International Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $26,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,368 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

13

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $49,718. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

14

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $18,750. International Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $21,830 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

15
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston earned the #15 position for value in international studies this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $17,750. Early-career international studies graduates make about $25,764. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

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16
Centre College crest
Centre College
Danville, KY

Centre College earned the #16 position for value in international studies this year. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. In-state tuition and fees average $52,820. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career international studies graduates make about $35,367. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

17

Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #17 spot for international studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international studies program here. Early-career international studies graduates make about $42,390. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.

18
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #18 position for value in international studies this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. International Studies graduates carry a median of $22,914 in student loans. Early-career international studies graduates make about $30,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.

19

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach landed the #19 spot for international studies value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,787 to complete the international studies program here. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach generally make around $54,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond placed #20 among the best values for international studies. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. International Studies graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. International Studies graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,634 median debt. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.

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21
Spelman College crest
Spelman College
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College placed #21 among the best values for international studies. Located in the city of Atlanta, Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,556. Typical student debt for international studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Spelman College generally make around $25,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spelman College admits about 25% of applicants.

22

Elon University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value international studies schools. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. International Studies graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 77 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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