2027 Best Value International Security Schools in the Southwest Region

[International Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for international security students.
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2027 Best Value International Security Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Security Schools
The University Of Texas At El Paso tops our 2027 list of the best value international security schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. International Security graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $79,569. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Angelo State University earned it the #2 place for international security. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $11,066 to complete the international security program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international security schools. 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. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $19,738. 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. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international security will find it at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the best values for international security. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. International Security graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $62,296. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.