2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in Texas
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value international relations schools.
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2027 Best Value International Relations Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations Schools
Our analysis ranked Rice University the best value for a degree in international relations in Texas. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. International Relations graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $82,320. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,343 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $25,879. Set against $24,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas State University San Marcos earned it the #3 place for international relations. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,344. Early-career international relations graduates make about $20,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $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.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of St Thomas Texas, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,628. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University ranked #7 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. Students from in state pay about $37,434 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $56,547. Set against $25,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University earned the #8 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $22,409 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $37,507. Set against $22,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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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 · 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.
