2026 Best Value Other International Relations & National Security Studies Master’s Degree Schools

[Other International Relations & National Security Studies](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations-and-national-security-studies-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other international relations & national security studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for other international relations & national security studies students.
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2026 Best Value Other International Relations & National Security Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other international relations & national security studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other International Relations & National Security Studies Schools
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for other international relations & national security studies in the United States. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for other international relations & national security studies graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, other international relations & national security studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other international relations & national security studies schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other international relations & national security studies graduates is $24,323. Early-career other international relations & national security studies graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other international relations & national security studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Other International Relations & National Security Studies graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career other international relations & national security studies graduates make about $75,863. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other international relations & national security studies will find it at San Diego State University, which ranked #4. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $17,134 to complete the other international relations & national security studies program here. Soon after graduation, other international relations & national security studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $63,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other international relations & national security studies will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other international relations & national security studies graduates is $23,000. Early-career other international relations & national security studies graduates make about $73,385. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #6 spot for other international relations & national security studies value this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete the other international relations & national security studies program here. Early-career other international relations & national security studies graduates make about $68,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University landed the #7 spot for other international relations & national security studies value this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Other International Relations & National Security Studies graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Early-career other international relations & national security studies graduates make about $50,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Norwich University earned the #8 position for value in other international relations & national security studies this year. Located in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,740. Typical student debt for other international relations & national security studies graduates is $16,850. Other International Relations & National Security Studies graduates of Norwich University earn a median of $66,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants.
Webster University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value other international relations & national security studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Other International Relations & National Security Studies graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Other International Relations & National Security Studies graduates of Webster University earn a median of $66,017 early in their careers. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #10 among the best values for other international relations & national security studies. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other international relations & national security studies program here. Other International Relations & National Security Studies graduates of Boston University earn a median of $51,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Depaul University came in at #11 for value in other international relations & national security studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other international relations & national security studies graduates is $21,250. Other International Relations & National Security Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $47,427 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Northeastern University landed the #12 spot for other international relations & national security studies value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Other International Relations & National Security Studies graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other international relations & national security studies degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $60,311. Set against $21,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Other Other International Relations & National Security Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value other international relations & national security studies schools at other degree levels:
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.