2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania

[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.
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2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations Schools
Our analysis ranked Pennsylvania State University World Campus the best value for a degree in international relations in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,000. International Relations graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $45,858 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for international relations. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #3 place for international relations. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $60,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the best values for international relations. 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. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,000. Early-career international relations graduates make about $45,858. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lafayette College landed the #6 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $16,620. Early-career international relations graduates make about $58,433. Set against $16,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Lehigh University earned the #7 position for value in international relations this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $36,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Bucknell University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,951. Early-career international relations graduates make about $77,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.
More International Relations Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.