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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value International Economics Master’s Degree Schools

3 Colleges in the United States
$20,220 Avg Student Debt
$75,884 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value International Economics Master's Degree Badge [International Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/international-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international economics students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value International Economics Schools in the United States

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

Best Value International Economics Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for international economics in the United States. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $15,000. International Economics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $51,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

2

Students looking for strong value in international economics will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,166 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $65,681. Set against $14,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international economics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $15,000. International Economics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Santa Cruz earned it the #4 place for international economics. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $18,017. Early-career international economics graduates make about $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,017 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place for international economics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,197 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $92,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Georgia State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $57,518. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.

7

Texas Tech University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. International Economics graduates carry a median of $27,125 in student loans. Early-career international economics graduates make about $44,292. That is a strong return on a $27,125 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

8
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value international economics schools. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $26,724. International Economics graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $51,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,724 median debt. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.

9

University Of Denver ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the international economics program here. International Economics graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $60,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10

George Washington University placed #10 among the best values for international economics. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. International Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career international economics graduates make about $82,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

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11
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #11 for value in international economics this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $79,632. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

12
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #12 for value in international economics this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. International Economics graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Early-career international economics graduates make about $86,903. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

13

Claremont Graduate University earned the #13 position for value in international economics this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit university. International Economics graduates of Claremont Graduate University earn a median of $68,239 early in their careers.

Other International Economics Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in International Economics
Associate's Degrees in International Economics
Bachelor's Degrees in International Economics
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View All International Economics Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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