2023 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
19
Ranked Colleges
410
Degrees Awarded
$22,900
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.
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 Plains States region, there were 410 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,421 and $22,849 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
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 in the Plains States Region 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 the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region international relations students with aid.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in the Plains States Region (With Aid)
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 99 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at UMN Twin Cities
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.
Iowa also took the #5 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region International Relations students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Iowa
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Cloud State University International Relations & National Security Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students with aid list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region International Relations students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UMN Duluth International Relations & National Security Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Bellevue University landed the #5 spot on the list. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bellevue, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bellevue University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bellevue University is $17,288 for Plains States Region International Relations students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Bellevue University
With a ranking of #6, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 13 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students with aid list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,159 for plains states region international relations students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.
The low undergrad 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%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Minnesota State University - Mankato
Webster University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Webster University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 53 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Webster not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Webster is $23,248 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
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 Webster
Washington University in St Louis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Washington University in St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WUSTL is $26,921 for Plains States Region International Relations students with aid.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 Washington University in St Louis
Kansas State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region International Relations students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Kansas State University
Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University also took the #16 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,366 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Lindenwood University
Loras College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Dubuque, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
Loras not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loras College is $21,629 for Plains States Region International Relations students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Loras College
Carleton College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Carleton College is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 38 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Carleton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Carleton College is $28,928 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full Carleton College International Relations & National Security Report
Augsburg University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.
Augsburg also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Augsburg University is $23,898 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Augsburg University
Drake University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Drake is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 12 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Drake also took the #6 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $29,903 for Plains States Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend Drake.
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 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Drake
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
Bethel University Minnesota did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Bethel University Minnesota is $28,178 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, 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 full report on International Relations & National Security at Bethel University Minnesota
University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UST MN is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
UST MN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Thomas Minnesota is $31,066 for Plains States Region International Relations students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, 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%.
Full UST MN International Relations & National Security Report
Creighton University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
Creighton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Creighton University is $31,218 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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 92%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Creighton University
Saint Louis University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 13 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
SLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis University is $25,039 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at SLU
Cornell College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mount Vernon, Iowa. It awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cornell College is $23,694 for plains states region international relations students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Cornell College
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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
- *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.
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