2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value international relations schools.
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2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois
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 tops our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $66,182. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wheaton College Illinois earned it the #2 place for international relations. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,875. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $40,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #3 makes Depaul University one of the best values for international relations. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $41,610. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
