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2023 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

45 Ranked Colleges
3,190 Degrees Awarded
$9,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 14,306 people earned their degree in international relations and national security, making the major the 67th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, international relations and national security graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $41,288 and had an average of $21,455 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 3,190 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,347 and $21,791 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 45 colleges that offer a degree in international relations and national security. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality international relations and national security programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the international relations and national security program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $371 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Duke

2
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 208 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $12,476 for southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at University of Virginia

3
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #3 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it awarded 72 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,972 for southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William & Mary.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full William & Mary International Relations & National Security Report

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 341 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Florida State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $4,950 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida State University International Relations & National Security Report

5
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Georgia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 286 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $8,303 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UGA International Relations & National Security Report

6

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 317 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, FIU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $3,196 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at FIU

7

With a ranking of #7, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,176 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full USF Tampa International Relations & National Security Report

8
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 160 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Virginia Tech also took the #3 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech International Relations & National Security Report

9
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 27 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Emory has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory is $8,538 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Emory

10

With a ranking of #10, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 48 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Georgia Tech has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Tech is $8,818 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus International Relations & National Security Report

11
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Military Institute is located in Lexington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

VMI also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend VMI is $10,556 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Virginia Military Institute

12

The University of West Florida ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 22 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend The University of West Florida is $4,288 for southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UWF International Relations & National Security Report

13
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Highland Heights, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $4,632 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northern Kentucky University International Relations & National Security Report

14
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 23 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $7,283 for southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full North Carolina State University International Relations & National Security Report

15
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNG is a public institution located in Dahlonega, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNG is $7,943 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of North Georgia

16
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, this large public school awarded 259 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

GMU also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $14,781 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend George Mason University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at GMU

17
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

JMU also took the #11 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,288 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend JMU.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full James Madison University International Relations & National Security Report

18

With a ranking of #18, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 38 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

UofSC also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $12,130 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UofSC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at UofSC

19
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ole Miss is $7,764 for southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Ole Miss

20
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arkansas is a public institution located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UARK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UARK is $12,003 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Arkansas International Relations & National Security Report

21
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Old Dominion is a large school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 43 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Old Dominion has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,335 for southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Old Dominion.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Old Dominion University

22
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Middle Tennessee State University is a large school located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that handed out 36 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $8,763 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Middle Tennessee State University International Relations & National Security Report

23
Fairmont State crest
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, West Virginia

Fairmont State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fairmont, West Virginia, this small public school awarded 28 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fairmont State University is $8,285 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Fairmont State University

24
Wofford crest
Wofford College
Spartanburg, South Carolina

Wofford College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wofford has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wofford is $20,359 for Southeast Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Wofford College

25
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. This large school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 11 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Memphis is $11,084 for southeast region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at UofM

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