2027 Best Value International Relations Master’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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for international relations students.
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2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $67,588. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,678. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,545. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. International Relations graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #4 place for international relations. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. International Relations graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $76,166. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for international relations. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Rice University landed the #6 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $11,904. Early-career international relations graduates make about $82,320. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of North Florida earned the #7 position for value in international relations this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Georgia came in at #8 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,275. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #9 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $66,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Florida State University earned the #10 position for value in international relations this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,767 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $49,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #11 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $30,977. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #12 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,254. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,842. International Relations graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $68,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #15 for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #16 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $17,134. International Relations graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore came in at #17 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $56,837. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #18 for value in international relations this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #19 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $76,550. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Harvard University earned the #20 position for value in international relations this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
George Mason University came in at #22 for value in international relations this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $73,385. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #23 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $22,113. International Relations graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $51,555 early in their careers. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #24 spot for international relations value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $61,625. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $47,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Relations Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for international relations this year:
Other International Relations Degree Levels
Explore the best-value international relations schools at other degree levels:
View All International Relations Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
