2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest 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 Rice University this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. International Relations graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Rice University earn a median of $82,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $68,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,632. Early-career international relations graduates make about $29,924. That is a strong return on a $20,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,343. International Relations graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $25,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $18,344 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $20,547. That is a strong return on a $18,344 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #6 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $61,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #7 among the best values for international relations. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #8 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,031. International Relations graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $62,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
St Marys University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,434. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,040. International Relations graduates of St Marys University earn a median of $56,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University earned the #10 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $41,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #11 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. International Relations graduates carry a median of $22,901 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $46,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Baylor University earned the #12 position for value in international relations this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,409 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $37,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
Narrow International Relations Schools by State
More International Relations Rankings
View All International Relations Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
