2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 449 schools to find the best return on investment for international relations & national security students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations & national security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for international relations & national security in the United States. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $10,492. 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. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the international relations & national security program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #3 place for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. 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 $32,098. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #6 for value in international relations & national security this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,250. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $30,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $50,563. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,275. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Florida International University came in at #9 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,637 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $33,417. Set against $18,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #10 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $14,799 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $47,141. That is a strong return on a $14,799 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
San Francisco State University earned the #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,750. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $31,254. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Angelo State University came in at #12 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $11,066 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $53,246. Set against $11,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis placed #13 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $12,416 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $34,949. That is a strong return on a $12,416 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Fairmont State University came in at #14 for value in international relations & national security this year. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $35,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,914. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $27,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #16 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Georgia came in at #18 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $43,564. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #19 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $79,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
San Diego State University landed the #20 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,134. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $35,361. That is a strong return on a $17,134 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #22 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $36,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #23 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,343 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $25,879. That is a strong return on a $24,343 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #24 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $12,000. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $44,004. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #25 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,250. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $30,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for international relations & national security this year:
Other International Relations & National Security Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International Relations & National Security rankings across degree levels:
View All International Relations & National Security Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 449 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
