2027 Best Value International Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 109 schools to find the best return on investment for international relations students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international relations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Relations Schools
Stanford University tops our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $76,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #2 place for international relations. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. International Relations graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $66,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $68,368. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Florida State University placed #6 among the best values for international relations. 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. International Relations graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $32,098 early in their careers. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #7 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #8 among the best values for international relations. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,637 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $33,417. Set against $18,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #10 spot for international relations value 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. Students borrow a median of $12,416 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $34,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
San Francisco State University came in at #11 for value in international relations this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Diego State University came in at #12 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $17,134. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #13 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,184. International Relations graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $50,563 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside landed the #14 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,914 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $27,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. International Relations graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,564. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #16 for value in international relations this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $20,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $29,924. Set against $20,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. International Relations graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #18 position for value in international relations this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,343. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $25,879. Set against $24,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #19 for value in international relations this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,572. Early-career international relations graduates make about $21,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $19,000. International Relations graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $36,100 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #21 position for value in international relations this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $44,004. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $38,584 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #23 among the best values for international relations. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,167 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $28,596. Set against $21,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary came in at #25 for value in international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $47,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% 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:
Other International Relations Degree Levels
Explore the best-value international relations schools at other degree levels:
View All International Relations Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 109 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 109 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.
