2023 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
37
Ranked Colleges
1,355
Degrees Awarded
$11,700
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
International Relations & National Security is the 67th most popular major in the country with 14,306 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 1,355 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,297 and $22,820 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 37 colleges that offer a degree in international relations and national security. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great international relations and national security programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the international relations and national security program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank International Relations & National Security Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 162 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $4,777 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Chicago International Relations & National Security Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 42 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $917 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. The undergraduate 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.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Northwestern University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 124 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,061 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington International Relations & National Security Report
Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
UW - Madison also took the #10 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at UW - Madison
Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 176 students in 2020-2021.
Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $8,581 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, 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.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Beloit College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Beloit is a private not-for-profit institution located in Beloit, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Beloit, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Beloit College is $8,873 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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. The undergraduate 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.
Full Beloit College International Relations & National Security Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $8,216 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
Denison University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Granville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
Denison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Denison University is $14,686 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, 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%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Denison University
Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 16 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $8,839 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Oakland
University of Southern Indiana came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
USI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,440 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USI.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at USI
With a ranking of #11, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $18,519 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a undergrad 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 excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Wheaton College Illinois
With a ranking of #12, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.
GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $11,026 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 full report on International Relations & National Security at GVSU
Michigan State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 106 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,170 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Michigan State University
Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Indiana University - Southeast is a small public school situated in New Albany, Indiana. It awarded 7 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Southeast is $8,556 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Indiana University - Southeast International Relations & National Security Report
Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Miami University - Oxford International Relations & National Security Report
Central Michigan University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $12,346 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Central Michigan International Relations & National Security Report
Northern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northern Michigan University is $10,573 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Northern Michigan University
With a ranking of #18, Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 16 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Wright State University - Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wright State University - Main Campus is $13,747 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Wright State University - Main Campus International Relations & National Security Report
Walsh University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Canton, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Walsh University is $13,457 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Walsh
Marquette University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Marquette not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Marquette is $21,378 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Marquette University International Relations & National Security Report
Lake Forest College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lake Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lake Forest, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,238 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lake Forest College.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 full report on International Relations & National Security at Lake Forest College
With a ranking of #22, Cleveland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cleveland State University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 25 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,813 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cleveland State University.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Cleveland State University
Eastern Michigan University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Michigan University is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $13,265 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Eastern Michigan
University of Akron Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
University of Akron Main Campus also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $15,510 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at University of Akron Main Campus
Kent State University at Kent came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kent State is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,021 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kent State University at Kent.
Full Kent State International Relations & National Security Report
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