2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for international relations students.
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2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations Schools
For return on investment in international relations, no school beat Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for international relations. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $33,417. Set against $18,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for international relations. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,767 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $40,628. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $30,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for international relations. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System landed the #6 spot for international relations value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $13,410. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia came in at #7 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $19,500. Early-career international relations graduates make about $39,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #8 for value in international relations this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. International Relations graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,564. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #9 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $21,915. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #10 for value in international relations this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. International Relations graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. International Relations graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
George Mason University landed the #12 spot for international relations value this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. International Relations graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $59,015 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University earned the #13 position for value in international relations this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,750. International Relations graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $33,581 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Virginia Military Institute came in at #14 for value in international relations this year. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $44,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Kennesaw State University placed #15 among the best values for international relations. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $34,343. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary earned the #16 position for value in international relations this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $47,270. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #17 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $22,113. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University came in at #18 for value in international relations this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,008. Early-career international relations graduates make about $27,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wofford College placed #19 among the best values for international relations. Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $56,005 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Wofford College generally make around $43,428. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. Wofford College admits about 52% of applicants.
Troy University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $79,581. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,094. Early-career international relations graduates make about $47,514. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Arkansas earned the #22 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $22,612. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #23 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,672. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $46,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Students borrow a median of $25,086 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $30,357. Set against $25,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Emory University earned the #25 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $45,022. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value International Relations Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for international relations this year:
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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 · 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.
