2027 Best Value International Security Schools
[International Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/) 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 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international security students.
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Finding the Best Value International Security School for You
The international security program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value International Security Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value International Security Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value International Security Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international security degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Security Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University San Bernardino the best value for a degree in international security in the United States. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for international security. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. International Security graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. International Security graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for international security. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. International Security graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $79,569. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fairmont State University earned it the #4 place for international security. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $35,925. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,564. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
San Diego State University placed #6 among the best values for international security. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $17,134. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $49,617. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Angelo State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. International Security graduates carry a median of $11,066 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $56,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #8 position for value in international security this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $25,574. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $67,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #9 spot for international security value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #10 position for value in international security this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. 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 security graduates is $22,113. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #11 position for value in international security this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $60,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
George Mason University landed the #12 spot for international security value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $23,000. International Security 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.
Bellevue University landed the #13 spot for international security value this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harvard University came in at #14 for value in international security this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $16,616. Early-career international security graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #15 for value in international security this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security 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 Missouri Columbia came in at #16 for value in international security this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. International Security graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #17 position for value in international security this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $62,296 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Norwich University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Set in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. International Security graduates carry a median of $16,850 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $54,985. Set against $16,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #20 spot for international security value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the international security program here. International Security 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.
Duke University placed #21 among the best values for international security. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $13,296. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $71,278. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #22 spot for international security value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. International Security graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Syracuse University landed the #23 spot for international security value this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $24,443. International Security graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $62,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
