2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.
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2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
University Of Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among international relations schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $66,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #2 place for international relations. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. 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 $19,250. International Relations graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $56,110 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #3 place for international relations. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $38,584. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Valley State University earned it the #5 place for international relations. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $19,000. Early-career international relations graduates make about $28,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #6 for value in international relations this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $24,766 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $38,810. That is a strong return on a $24,766 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for international relations. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,625. Early-career international relations graduates make about $32,543. That is a strong return on a $25,625 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #8 spot for international relations value this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,875. Early-career international relations graduates make about $40,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Miami University Oxford landed the #9 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,977 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $38,766. That is a strong return on a $21,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Depaul University placed #10 among the best values for international relations. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $41,610 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marquette University earned the #11 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $43,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Butler University earned the #12 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $68,222. Set against $25,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Butler University admits about 85% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
