2026 Best Value International Security Schools in North Carolina
[International Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international security students.
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2026 Best Value International Security Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Security Schools
East Carolina University tops our 2026 list of the best value international security schools in North Carolina. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $24,747. Early-career international security graduates make about $51,931. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international security, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $51,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international security, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the international security program here. 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. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
More International Security Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
