2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Massachusetts
[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.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international relations schools.
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2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Massachusetts
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
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in international relations in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #2 place for international relations. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,234. Early-career international relations graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $26,236. Early-career international relations graduates make about $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Wellesley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $48,902. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $48,622. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Suffolk University landed the #6 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,990 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $57,261 early in their careers. Set against $26,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Northeastern University came in at #7 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $60,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Tufts University landed the #8 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $63,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
