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Best Value International/Global Studies Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

The most expensive International Studies program in this ranking costs nearly five times more than the cheapest option, yet both deliver strong career outcomes for graduates entering the global economy. University of Pennsylvania commands $31,229 in net costs but produces graduates earning $84,653 annually, while University of Florida achieves remarkable value at just $6,351 net with graduates starting at $25,194. This cost-to-earnings spectrum reflects the growing demand for globally-minded professionals as American companies expand international operations and foreign direct investment in the United States reaches record levels. Public universities dominate the value market, with eight of the top ten most affordable programs coming from state institutions. California alone places four universities in this ranking, reflecting the state's position as a gateway for Pacific Rim trade and international business. Graduate debt varies significantly across programs, ranging from $10,132 at Brigham Young University-Idaho to $24,305 at University of Utah, while acceptance rates span from highly selective 6.5% at Penn to nearly open admission at 95.56% for BYU-Idaho.
50
Programs
$6,351 – $31,229
Net Price Range
$33,630
Avg. Program Earnings
69.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 International/Global Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,104 $56,484 $8,400 53.2%
2 $7,131 $29,685 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
3 $6,351 $25,194 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
4 $11,750 $41,087 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
5 $10,017 $33,459 $12,817 62.3% 88.4%
6 $14,013 $43,798 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
7 $10,898 $33,459 $12,559 68.2% 88.1%
8 $13,172 $38,289 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
9 $10,353 $29,902 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
10 $13,670 $39,467 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
11 $12,840 $36,049 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
12 $31,229 $84,653 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
13 $10,650 $28,816 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
14 $13,825 $34,660 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
15 $13,485 $33,459 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
16 $11,779 $28,598 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
17 $12,579 $29,685 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
18 $12,791 $29,685 $8,370 47.5% 85.9%
19 $14,832 $33,993 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
20 $13,780 $31,305 $7,566 28.9% 65.3%
21 $14,352 $31,616 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
22 $18,328 $38,289 $12,952 70.6% 80.6%
23 $27,823 $57,318 $62,693 96.8% 12.9%
24 $19,678 $40,473 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
25 $16,177 $33,077 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
26 $16,928 $32,806 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
27 $17,478 $33,637 $8,115 52.5% 96.1%
28 $17,413 $32,925 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
29 $17,218 $32,391 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%
30 $23,939 $42,682 $66,600 90.2% 7.6%
31 $20,924 $37,208 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
32 $19,472 $33,993 $7,317 70.7% 68.8%
33 $16,438 $28,598 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
34 $13,726 $23,649 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
35 $19,133 $32,711 $10,017 47.4% 74.6%
36 $14,745 $25,194 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
37 $15,960 $27,126 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
38 $18,701 $31,423 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
39 $12,599 $20,824 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
40 $11,147 $18,315 $9,172 42.5% 69.8%
41 $16,487 $26,739 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
42 $20,860 $33,565 $18,890 78.6% 59.8%
43 $17,424 $27,822 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
44 $18,486 $28,381 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
45 $21,480 $32,772 $16,430 75.0% 80.7%
46 $20,332 $30,616 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
47 $20,751 $30,988 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
48 $16,931 $25,194 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
49 $14,532 $20,140 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
50 $21,398 $29,322 $10,964 73.1% 86.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying International Studies programs?

University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $84,653 annually compared to $25,194 for University of Florida graduates, a $59,459 difference that reflects both institutional networks and geographic job markets. Penn's location in Philadelphia provides access to major consulting firms, international banks, and global corporations that typically offer higher starting salaries. The 96.8% graduation rate at Penn versus 91.5% at Florida also suggests different levels of academic support and career preparation that influence post-graduation outcomes.

How do California's International Studies programs compare in terms of value and selectivity?

California places four universities in this ranking with net costs ranging from $11,750 at UC San Diego to $14,013 at UCLA. UCLA offers the highest earnings at $43,798 but accepts only 8.57% of applicants, making it the most selective program in the state. UC San Diego provides strong value with $41,087 in graduate earnings at a lower net cost of $11,750. All four California programs maintain graduation rates above 85%, reflecting the state's strong support systems for international studies students.

Is there a correlation between acceptance rates and graduate debt levels in these programs?

More selective programs tend to produce graduates with lower debt burdens, though this pattern has notable exceptions. University of Pennsylvania accepts only 6.5% of applicants but debt data was not reported, while UCLA's highly selective 8.57% acceptance rate corresponds with just $12,000 in graduate debt. However, University of Utah combines an 89.13% acceptance rate with the highest debt level at $24,305. This suggests that institutional financial aid policies matter more than selectivity alone in determining graduate debt outcomes.

What role do graduation rates play in determining program value for International Studies majors?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 53.2% at American Public University System to 96.8% at University of Pennsylvania, directly impacting return on investment. Programs with rates below 70% include American Public University (53.2%), BYU-Idaho (55.1%), University of Utah (63.9%), and University of Washington-Tacoma (62.3%). These lower completion rates can significantly reduce the effective value proposition, as students who don't graduate carry debt without the degree needed for international career opportunities. The strongest programs maintain graduation rates above 85%.

Does geographic location affect both costs and career outcomes for International Studies graduates?

West Coast programs generally command higher net costs but also produce higher-earning graduates, reflecting regional economic conditions and industry presence. University of Washington's three campuses show identical $33,459 earnings despite different graduation rates, suggesting standardized regional salary expectations. Florida's two programs (University of Florida and University of North Florida) both produce graduates earning under $30,000 annually, considerably below the national average. This geographic wage differential often reflects local concentrations of international businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations that hire global studies graduates.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.