2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in New York
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value international relations schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in New York
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 New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,337 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Suny At Albany one of the best values for international relations. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $80,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #6 for value in international relations this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $41,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Cornell University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Colgate University landed the #8 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $52,924. Set against $16,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Hamilton College earned the #9 position for value in international relations this year. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Rochester landed the #10 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $60,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Hobart William Smith Colleges ranked #11 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,928. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Hobart William Smith Colleges earn a median of $40,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Skidmore College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,274. Early-career international relations graduates make about $34,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #13 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $61,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #14 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. International Relations graduates of New York University earn a median of $59,814 early in their careers. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,443 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $62,805. Set against $24,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Vassar College placed #16 among the best values for international relations. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,030. International Relations graduates carry a median of $20,232 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $31,956. Set against $20,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
Fordham University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,843. International Relations graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $53,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,843 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
The New School placed #18 among the best values for international relations. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of The New School earn a median of $47,855 early in their careers. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
More International Relations Rankings
View All International Relations Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
