2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in District of Columbia
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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 District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations Schools
Our analysis ranked George Washington University the best value for a degree in international relations in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. International Relations graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. International Relations graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $61,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Georgetown University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $69,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes American University one of the best values for international relations. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,250. Early-career international relations graduates make about $58,712. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
