2027 Best Value International Security Master’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong international security education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international security students.
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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. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. International Security graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. International Security graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $79,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #3 makes Fairmont State University one of the best values for international security. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $35,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego State University one of the best values for international security. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, 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 $63,873 early in their careers. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
A rank of #5 makes Angelo State University one of the best values for international security. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. 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 $60,519. Set against $11,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #6 for value in international security this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $67,146 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #7 spot for international security value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. 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 #8 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. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #9 spot for international security value this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $76,550. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
George Mason University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $23,000. Early-career international security graduates make about $73,385. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #11 among the best values for international security. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Bellevue University landed the #12 spot for international security value this year. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #13 among the best values for international security. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $21,275. Early-career international security graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #15 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. International Security graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $62,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $22,870. International Security graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $68,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
Norwich University landed the #17 spot for international security value this year. Located in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,850 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $66,348. That is a strong return on a $16,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Duke University placed #18 among the best values for international security. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $71,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $54,227. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #20 spot for international security value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $24,958. International Security graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University came in at #21 for value in international security this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $24,443. Early-career international security graduates make about $60,384. That is a strong return on a $24,443 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Institute Of World Politics earned the #22 position for value in international security this year. Set in the city of Washington, Institute Of World Politics is a small private not-for-profit institution. International Security graduates of Institute Of World Politics earn a median of $77,008 early in their careers.
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
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
