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2023 Best Value International Studies Schools

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

143 Colleges
$20,912 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$34,198 Avg Salary

Finding the Best International Studies School for You

International Studies is the #102 most popular major in the country with 7,368 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

The Best Value International Studies Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 143 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for international studies students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value International Studies Schools in the United States

Check out the international studies programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.

Top 15% Best International Studies Schools

Our analysis found American Public University System to be the best value school for international studies students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.

American Military University undergraduate students pay an average of $7,360 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that international studies majors at American Military University take out is $12,567.

American Military University also claimed a spot on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

Full International Studies at American Public University System Report

$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value International Studies Schools list. Located in the town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU - I are $4,416 a year. After completing their degree, international studies graduates from BYU - I carry an average student debtload of $10,931.

Read full report on International Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho

#3

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

The excellent programs at University of Northern Iowa helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best international studies schools in the United States. UNI is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Cedar Falls.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNI are $19,753 per year.

UNI also claimed a spot on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Arizona State University - Skysong. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ASU - Skysong are $13,092 a year. After completing their degree, international studies graduates from ASU - Skysong carry an average student debtload of $20,700. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $241.

ASU - Skysong also claimed a spot on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Full International Studies at Arizona State University - Skysong Report

$11,496 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 143 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the # 5 spot on the list. SIUE is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SIUE are $11,496 a year.

Read More…

#6

National University

La Jolla, CA

National University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of La Jolla.

National University undergraduate students pay an average of $13,320 in tuition and fees each year.

National University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best International Studies Schools list.

Read More…

Grand Valley State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools list. Located in the suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GVSU are $19,628 per year.

Read full report on International Studies at Grand Valley State University

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools ranking. North Dakota State University is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Dakota State University are $14,876 per year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, North Dakota State University also did well on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on International Studies at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on this year’s best value schools for international studies students. UW - Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Stevens Point.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - Stevens Point are $17,035 per year. International Studies majors at UW - Stevens Point take out an average of $24,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, UW - Stevens Point also did well on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#10

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools list. Located in the large city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at San Jose State are $19,732 a year.

San Jose State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best International Studies Schools list.

Read full report on International Studies at San Jose State University

With a ranking of #11, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on this year’s best value schools for international studies students. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public college with a fairly large student population.

UNC Chapel Hill undergraduate students pay an average of $36,891 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNC Chapel Hill also is in the top 5% of our Best International Studies Schools ranking.

Read full report on International Studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#12

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, TX
$11,726 Average Tuition & Fees

MSU Texas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for international studies students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, MSU Texas is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MSU Texas are $11,726 per year.

Read full report on International Studies at MSU Texas

#13

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for international studies students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Salisbury undergraduate students pay an average of $20,458 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Salisbury also did well on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#14

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools list. Located in the city of Manhattan, K -State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

K -State undergraduate students pay an average of $26,491 in tuition and fees each year. International Studies majors at K -State take out an average of $15,220 in student loans while working on their egree.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, K -State also did well on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#15

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL
$19,407 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, University of North Florida did quite well on this year’s best value schools for international studies students. Located in the large city of Jacksonville, UNF is a public school with a fairly large student population.

UNF undergraduate students pay an average of $19,407 in tuition and fees each year. International Studies majors at UNF take out an average of $18,105 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

$22,467 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Central Florida came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools ranking. UCF is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UCF are $22,467 per year.

Full International Studies at University of Central Florida Report

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value international studies programs. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, MSU Moorhead is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MSU Moorhead are $17,564 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, MSU Moorhead is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best International Studies Schools list.

Full International Studies at Minnesota State University - Moorhead Report

#18

Winona State University

Winona, MN

Winona State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for international studies students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Winona State undergraduate students pay an average of $16,684 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Winona State also did well on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read More…

#19

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI
$16,768 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Michigan University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools list. WMU is a large public school located in the small city of Kalamazoo.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WMU are $16,768 per year. After completing their degree, international studies graduates from WMU carry an average student debtload of $26,485.

Read More…

With a ranking of #20, Washington State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for international studies students. Located in the distant town of Pullman, Wazzu is a public school with a very large student population.

Wazzu undergraduate students pay an average of $27,733 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Wazzu also is in the top 15% of our Best International Studies Schools ranking.

Full International Studies at Washington State University Report

#21

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

University of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value International Studies Schools list. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UPenn are $61,710 per year.

UPenn also claimed a spot on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 1% of all schools in this category.

Full International Studies at University of Pennsylvania Report

#21

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Studies Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Lubbock, Texas Tech is a public college with a very large student population.

Texas Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $24,121 in tuition and fees each year. On average, international studies graduates from Texas Tech take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Texas Tech also claimed a spot on our Best International Studies Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Full International Studies at Texas Tech University Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great value schools for International Studies students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value International Studies Schools award.

Rank College Location
23 California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CA
24 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
25 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX
26 University of North Texas Denton, TX
27 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
28 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA

International Studies by Region

View the Best Value International Studies Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 44 majors within the area of study, international studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 34,975
Biological & Physical Science 30,075
Interdisciplinary Studies 9,074
Nutrition Science 5,330
Behavioral Science 4,169

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Yerpo.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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