[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations & national security education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 150 schools to find the best return on investment for international relations & national security students.
Finding the Best Value International Relations & National Security School for You
Where you study international relations & national security affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for international relations & national security in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $67,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $13,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,627. Set against $13,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $76,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California San Diego landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $68,368. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #8 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,767. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $40,628. That is a strong return on a $17,767 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #9 for value in international relations & national security this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Rice University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $11,904. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $82,320. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #11 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $18,637 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $33,417 early in their careers. Set against $18,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #12 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $15,854. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $66,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for international relations & national security value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $39,275 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #14 for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $30,977. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #16 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $12,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $34,949. That is a strong return on a $12,416 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System came in at #17 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $13,410 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $63,624 early in their careers. Set against $13,410 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #18 spot for international relations & national security value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $79,569. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #19 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $31,254. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Fairmont State University came in at #20 for value in international relations & national security this year. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $35,925 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #21 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #22 among the best values for international relations & national security. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $12,184. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $50,563. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $68,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Georgia came in at #24 for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
San Diego State University earned the #25 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,134. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $49,617. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international relations & national security:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 150 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 150 ranked schools only.
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).
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations & national security education at a price that pays off.
