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2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

35 Ranked Colleges
1,290 Degrees Awarded
$18,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking.

International Relations is the 63rd most popular major in the country with 13,117 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,290 international relations graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 35 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in international relations. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent international relations programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the international relations program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for International Relations in the Great Lakes Region

1
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Michigan University landed the #1 spot on the list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations at Central Michigan

2
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Valley State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students list, GVSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for great lakes region international relations students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations at Grand Valley State University

3
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University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern Indiana. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region. USI is a medium-sized school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

USI also took the #16 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USI is $13,481 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full USI International Relations Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 20 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region international relations students.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at UW - Madison

5
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Michigan University. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Eastern Michigan University is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $15,127 for great lakes region international relations students.

Read full report on International Relations at Eastern Michigan

6

Cleveland State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 25 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,943 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend Cleveland State University.

Read full report on International Relations at Cleveland State University

7

Kent State University at Kent came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 10 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,117 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend Kent State.

Read full report on International Relations at Kent State

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 176 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,845 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus International Relations Report

9

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 42 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

UC also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $22,415 for great lakes region international relations students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus International Relations Report

10
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $13,449 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Oakland University International Relations Report

11
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 113 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $14,619 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations at IU Bloomington

12

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $12,416 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at IUPUI

13
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

With a ranking of #13, Northern Michigan University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Northern Michigan University is a medium-sized school located in Marquette, Michigan that handed out 3 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Michigan University is $15,214 for great lakes region international relations students.

Full Northern Michigan University International Relations Report

14
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Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #14. Ashland University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ashland, Ohio. It awarded 3 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ashland University is $20,974 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ashland University International Relations Report

15
Indiana University - Southeast crest
Indiana University - Southeast
New Albany, Indiana

Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in New Albany, Indiana, and it awarded 7 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Southeast is $11,446 for great lakes region international relations students.

Read full report on International Relations at Indiana University - Southeast

16
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 34 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Wheaton College Illinois did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $25,692 for great lakes region international relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on International Relations at Wheaton College Illinois

17
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #17. Dominican U is a small school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Dominican U also took the #17 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican University is $18,645 for great lakes region international relations students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations at Dominican U

18
University of Toledo crest
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio

University of Toledo ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Toledo, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,312 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend University of Toledo.

Full University of Toledo International Relations Report

19
Walsh crest
Walsh University
North Canton, Ohio

With a ranking of #19, Walsh University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Walsh is a small private not-for-profit school situated in North Canton, Ohio. It awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Walsh not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,276 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend Walsh University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Walsh

20
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Marquette University is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Marquette also took the #8 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $30,380 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend Marquette.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations at Marquette

21
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 106 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students list, Michigan State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $19,058 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations at Michigan State

22
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $31,174 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend DePaul.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full DePaul University International Relations Report

23

Miami University - Oxford came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 91 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $24,756 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations at Miami University - Oxford

24
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Taylor University
Upland, Indiana

Taylor University landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Upland, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Taylor U, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Taylor U is $24,628 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Taylor U

25
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,678 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend Roosevelt.

Read more about International Relations at Roosevelt University

Notes and References

References

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