2026 Best Value International Studies Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

For return on investment, no school beat Arizona State University this year in the United States. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $20,962 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,668. Set against $20,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read the full report on Arizona State University

#2

University Of California Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #2 on this year's best-value International Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Median earnings reach $74,915 ten years out. Set against $14,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%. Read more about University Of California Santa Barbara

#3

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value International Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. The median International Studies program debt is $23,530. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $54,810 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus report

#4

Florida International University

Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #4 on this year's best-value International Studies ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Miami, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete their International Studies program here. Median earnings reach $60,249 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Florida International University

#5

University Of Massachusetts Lowell

Lowell, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Lowell, MA, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete their International Studies program here. University Of Massachusetts Lowell alumni report median earnings of $64,874 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell profile

#6

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Get the full Carnegie Mellon University report

#7

Sonoma State University

Sonoma State University placed #7 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Sonoma State University

#8

California State University East Bay

California State University East Bay ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. See the full California State University East Bay profile

#9

Central Connecticut State University

Central Connecticut State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. Read more about Central Connecticut State University

#10

Lasell College

Lasell College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. More on Lasell College

#11

Purdue University Main Campus

Purdue University Main Campus placed #11 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. More on Purdue University Main Campus

#12

Thomas More College

Thomas More College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Thomas More College

#13

Augustana College South Dakota

Augustana College South Dakota offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. More on Augustana College South Dakota

#14

Luther College

Luther College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Luther College

#15

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

#16

University Of Sacred Heart

University Of Sacred Heart offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Read the full report on University Of Sacred Heart

#17

University Of Wisconsin Platteville

University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Platteville

#18

Gannon University

Gannon University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Gannon University

#19

Northwest Vista College

Northwest Vista College placed #19 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. See the full Northwest Vista College profile

#20

Saint Bonaventure University

Saint Bonaventure University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Read the full report on Saint Bonaventure University

#21

Washington And Jefferson College

Washington And Jefferson College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full Washington And Jefferson College report

#22

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Get the full Campbellsville University report

#23

Cuny Graduate School And University Center

Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. More on Cuny Graduate School And University Center

#24

Howard University

Howard University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. See the full Howard University profile

#25

Ohio State University Main Campus

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile

#26

Webster University

Webster University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Webster University

#27

Coe College

Coe College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. Read the full report on Coe College

#28

South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on South Dakota State University

#29

University Of Northern Iowa

University Of Northern Iowa ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. Read more about University Of Northern Iowa

#30

Malone University

Malone University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Malone University

#31

Mississippi College

Mississippi College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Mississippi College

#32

Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Pacific Lutheran University

#33

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg College placed #33 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Gettysburg College

#34

North Dakota State University Main Campus

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus

#35

Rochester Institute Of Technology

Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. See the full Rochester Institute Of Technology profile

#36

St Lawrence University

St Lawrence University came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Get the full St Lawrence University report

#37

Suny College At Oswego

Suny College At Oswego placed #37 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. More on Suny College At Oswego

#38

University Of Maine At Farmington

University Of Maine At Farmington ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. Get the full University Of Maine At Farmington report

#39

Concordia University Irvine

Concordia University Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Concordia University Irvine

#40

Murray State College

Murray State College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. See the full Murray State College profile

#41

National University

National University placed #41 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. Read more about National University

#42

Ridgewater College

Ridgewater College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Ridgewater College

#43

Albertus Magnus College

Albertus Magnus College placed #43 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Albertus Magnus College report

#44

Madison Area Technical College

Madison Area Technical College placed #44 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. More on Madison Area Technical College

#45

Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Grand Valley State University

#46

San Antonio College

San Antonio College placed #46 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on San Antonio College

#47

California State University San Bernardino

California State University San Bernardino ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Studies schools. Read more about California State University San Bernardino

#48

Indiana Wesleyan University

Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Indiana Wesleyan University report

#49

Suny At Fredonia

Suny At Fredonia placed #49 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Suny At Fredonia

#50

Hampshire College

Hampshire College placed #50 among the best-value International Studies schools in the United States. See the full Hampshire College profile