2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.
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2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
For return on investment in international relations, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $11,691. Early-career international relations graduates make about $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. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. International Relations graduates carry a median of $13,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #4 place for international relations. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of Baltimore, which ranked #5. 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. International Relations graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $56,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Suny At Albany landed the #6 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $60,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Delaware came in at #8 for value in international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,000. Early-career international relations graduates make about $38,250. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University landed the #9 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. International Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Towson University earn a median of $39,208 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #10 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $80,448. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #11 among the best values for international relations. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. International Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $45,858. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. International Relations graduates carry a median of $10,470 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $65,559. That is a strong return on a $10,470 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cornell University landed the #14 spot for international relations value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Drew University landed the #15 spot for international relations value this year. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $26,449. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $34,305. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Colgate University came in at #16 for value in international relations this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,306. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
Hamilton College earned the #17 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $45,332. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Rochester placed #18 among the best values for international relations. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #19 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,958. Early-career international relations graduates make about $60,025. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Seton Hall University landed the #20 spot for international relations value this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $56,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #21 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Hobart William Smith Colleges ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,928. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Hobart William Smith Colleges generally make around $40,648. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Skidmore College landed the #23 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,140. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Set against $18,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for international relations value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. International Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $45,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lafayette College came in at #25 for value in international relations this year. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Students borrow a median of $16,620 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $58,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,620 median debt. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value International Relations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international relations:
Narrow International Relations Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
