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2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Ohio

5 Colleges in the United States
$23,620 Avg Student Debt
$53,563 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value International Relations Badge [International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.

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2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value International Relations Schools

1

For return on investment in international relations, no school beat Ohio State University Main Campus this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $38,584. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,500. Early-career international relations graduates make about $31,434. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

Kent State University At Kent came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,500. Early-career international relations graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $32,543 early in their careers. Set against $25,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami University Oxford earned it the #5 place for international relations. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,977. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $38,766. That is a strong return on a $21,977 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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