College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Value International Relations Schools

139 Colleges in the United States
$21,075 Avg Student Debt
$71,764 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value International Relations Badge [International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations education at a price that pays off.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 139 schools to find the best return on investment for international relations students.

What’s on this page:

Finding the Best Value International Relations School for You

The right international relations school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value International Relations Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

Learn more about our methodology

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value International Relations Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Bachelor's Degrees in International Relations
Master's Degrees in International Relations

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the United States

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

Best Value International Relations Schools

1

For return on investment in international relations, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. International Relations graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $67,588. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

3
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $76,166. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

4
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $30,627. Set against $13,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #5 place for international relations. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $17,101. Early-career international relations graduates make about $68,368. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

6

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for international relations. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,323. International Relations graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.

7
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #7 among the best values for international relations. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $17,767. International Relations graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,628 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,767 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

8
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University landed the #8 spot for international relations value this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $82,320. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

9

University Of Chicago landed the #9 spot for international relations value this year. 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. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $15,854. Early-career international relations graduates make about $66,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

10

University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,275. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

11

Florida International University placed #11 among the best values for international relations. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,637 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $33,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

12

University Of North Florida placed #12 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.

13

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for international relations. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $30,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

14

University Of California Davis earned the #14 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,416. International Relations graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $34,949 early in their careers. Set against $12,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

15

American Public University System ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. International Relations graduates carry a median of $13,410 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $57,404. That is a strong return on a $13,410 median debt.

16

San Francisco State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $16,750. International Relations graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #17 among the best values for international relations. 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, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

18

Brigham Young University Provo placed #18 among the best values for international relations. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $50,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

19

San Diego State University came in at #19 for value in international relations this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. International Relations graduates carry a median of $17,134 in student loans. International Relations graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

20

Arizona State University earned the #20 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $68,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of California Riverside came in at #21 for value in international relations this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,914. Early-career international relations graduates make about $27,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

22

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #22 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. International Relations graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of North Georgia placed #23 among the best values for international relations. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,564. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

24

Northern Arizona University landed the #24 spot for international relations value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,632 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $29,924 early in their careers. Set against $20,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

25

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $22,444. Early-career international relations graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Relations Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s international relations value ranking:

26
27
28
29
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
30
31
32
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
33
34
35
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
36
37
38
39
40

41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA
48
49
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
50

View All Rankings >

International Relations is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 139 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 139 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options