Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

International Relations & National Security

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in Illinois (With Aid)

13 Ranked Colleges
373 Degrees Awarded
$24,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Illinois, there were 373 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,500 and $26,096 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 13 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in international relations and national security. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent international relations and national security programs, but they also 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

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid”.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois international relations students with aid.

Top 13 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in Illinois (With Aid)

#1

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Xavier University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois international relations students with aid list, SXU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,528 for illinois international relations students with aid per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Full Saint Xavier University International Relations & National Security Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 37 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $24,664 for illinois international relations students with aid.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Northwestern

#3

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dominican University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Dominican U is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $19,268 for Illinois International Relations students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

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

#4

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wheaton College Illinois. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 34 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $25,358 for Illinois International Relations students with aid per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

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 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. 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%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Wheaton College Illinois

#5

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Knox College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Knox College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Knox also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Knox is $22,292 for illinois international relations students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Knox

#6

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. McKendree University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lebanon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at McKendree, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McKendree University is $19,844 for Illinois International Relations students with aid.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at McKendree

#7

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bradley, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $25,634 for illinois international relations students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Bradley

#8

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 11 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Lake Forest College is $26,426 for Illinois International Relations students with aid.

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 more about International Relations & National Security at Lake Forest

#9

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 143 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $27,315 for Illinois International Relations students with aid per year to attend University of Chicago.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 100%. 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%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at UChicago

#10

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Roosevelt University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Roosevelt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $22,749 for illinois international relations students with aid per year to attend Roosevelt.

Full Roosevelt University International Relations & National Security Report

#11

Rockford University

Rockford, Illinois

Rockford University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois international relations students with aid list, Rockford has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rockford University is $22,197 for illinois international relations students with aid.

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 more about International Relations & National Security at Rockford

#12

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. DePaul University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend DePaul University is $30,090 for illinois international relations students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at DePaul University

#13

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 68 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola University Chicago is $35,407 for Illinois International Relations students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national 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 Loyola University Chicago

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Featured Political and Social Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You