2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in Virginia
[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 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.
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2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in Virginia
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 Virginia Military Institute this year. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $44,429. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Old Dominion University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $33,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,000. Early-career international relations graduates make about $47,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $59,015. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $20,672 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $46,870. That is a strong return on a $20,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #6 position for value in international relations this year. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $30,357. Set against $25,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
James Madison University placed #7 among the best values for international relations. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $44,667. That is a strong return on a $18,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Hampden Sydney College came in at #8 for value in international relations this year. Located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,550 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,494 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $45,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,638. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #10 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $48,897 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
More International Relations Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
