2027 Best Value International Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[International Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value international security schools.
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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
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value international security schools in the United States. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fairmont State University earned it the #2 place for international security. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $24,250. Early-career international security graduates make about $35,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for international security. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $19,819. Early-career international security graduates make about $79,569. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
San Diego State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $17,134. International Security graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $35,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University ranked #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $11,066. Early-career international security graduates make about $53,246. That is a strong return on a $11,066 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University placed #7 among the best values for international security. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. International Security graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $44,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
George Mason University landed the #8 spot for international security value this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. International Security graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. International Security graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $44,644 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bellevue University came in at #9 for value in international security this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norwich University placed #10 among the best values for international security. Norwich University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. Students from in state pay about $49,740 in tuition and fees. International Security graduates carry a median of $16,850 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $43,621. Set against $16,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants.
Liberty University earned the #11 position for value in international security this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $43,567 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Syracuse University came in at #12 for value in international security this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,635 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $43,249. That is a strong return on a $26,635 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Other International Security Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International Security rankings across degree levels:
View All International Security Rankings >
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 · 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.