2026 Best Value International Relations Schools
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 414 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international relations schools.
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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. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read 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. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in international relations in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $76,166 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $67,588 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for international relations. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. International Relations graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,368 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #6 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #8 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,767 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,628. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University earned the #9 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Rice University earn a median of $82,320 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #10 spot for international relations value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $30,977. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $50,563. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #12 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $39,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #13 for value in international relations this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,637. International Relations graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $33,417 early in their careers. Set against $18,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California Davis earned the #14 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,416. Early-career international relations graduates make about $34,949. That is a strong return on a $12,416 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #15 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #16 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $31,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $14,799 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. That is a strong return on a $14,799 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside came in at #19 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. 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. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #20 spot for international relations value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,836. Early-career international relations graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #21 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $22,754. International Relations graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
West Virginia University landed the #22 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia placed #23 among the best values for international relations. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,500. 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.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #24 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #25 for value in international relations this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $56,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Relations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international relations:
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International Relations is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 414 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 151 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.
