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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

43 Ranked Colleges
1,120 Degrees Awarded
$13,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

International Relations & National Security is the 65th most popular major in the country with 14,762 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, international relations and national security graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $38,051 and had an average of $28,099 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,340 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,821 and $24,013 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,120 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 43 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the international relations and national security program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank International Relations & National Security Schools

The international relations school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $3,995 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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 more about International Relations & National Security at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 17 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,800 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full University of Chicago International Relations & National Security Report

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 100 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $6,192 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington International Relations & National Security Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 178 degrees to qualified bachelors’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $10,037 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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 Ohio State University - Main Campus International Relations & National Security Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 16 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $6,315 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at IUPUI

#6

Beloit College

Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Beloit is located in Beloit, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Beloit not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Beloit College is $7,628 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Beloit

#7

Denison University

Granville, Ohio

Denison University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Granville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Denison also took the #4 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Denison University is $13,909 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Denison University

#8

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GVSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,459 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at GVSU

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #9, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 116 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $15,197 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Michigan State

#10

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SXU is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Xavier University is $11,962 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at SXU

#11

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana
#25 in overall quality

University of Southern Indiana came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Evansville, Indiana, this fairly large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified bachelors’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

USI also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $9,842 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern Indiana.

The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 University of Southern Indiana International Relations & National Security Report

#12

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Oakland is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 14 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $7,751 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Oakland International Relations & National Security Report

#13

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Knox College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Knox College is a small school located in Galesburg, Illinois that handed out 7 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Knox College is $19,186 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Knox

Miami University - Oxford landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 121 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $17,692 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Miami University - Oxford International Relations & National Security Report

#15

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 34 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $16,212 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, 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 full report on International Relations & National Security at Wheaton College Illinois

#16

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

With a ranking of #16, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,127 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Michigan University.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Central Michigan

#17

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northern Michigan University is $11,723 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Northern Michigan University

#18

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lake Forest College is a small school located in Lake Forest, Illinois that handed out 11 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lake Forest College is $19,152 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Lake Forest International Relations & National Security Report

#19

Walsh University

North Canton, Ohio

Walsh University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in North Canton, Ohio, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,556 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Walsh.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Walsh University International Relations & National Security Report

#20

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dominican U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 5 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Dominican U has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican University is $17,586 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Dominican University

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $18,106 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at UC

Kent State University at Kent ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Kent State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Kent is $15,374 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Kent State University at Kent

#23

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Bradley University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley is $18,232 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Bradley

#24

The College of Wooster

Wooster, Ohio
#14 in overall quality

The College of Wooster did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Wooster, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wooster College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,208 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The College of Wooster.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Wooster College

#25

Wittenberg University

Springfield, Ohio

Wittenberg University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Ohio, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,905 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wittenberg.

Full Wittenberg International Relations & National Security Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to RepubFan12.

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