2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Far Western Region
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 California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for international relations & national security in the Far Western Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $15,149. International Relations & National Security graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $76,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,101. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,368 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,750. International Relations & National Security graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,254 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,914 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $27,021 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,914 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Portland State University placed #7 among the best values for international relations & national security. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $30,253. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #8 for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $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. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $34,949 early in their careers. Set against $12,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #9 spot for international relations & national security value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $17,134 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $49,617. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #10 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $23,437 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $29,539. That is a strong return on a $23,437 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Claremont Mckenna College earned the #11 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,980. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Claremont Mckenna College earn a median of $66,028 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $50,948. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #13 for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $13,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $52,262. That is a strong return on a $13,765 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark College earned the #14 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,828. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Lewis And Clark College earn a median of $43,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
Occidental College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,274. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,275 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Occidental College earn a median of $35,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,275 median debt. Occidental College admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of San Francisco landed the #16 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Students borrow a median of $24,508 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $36,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University placed #17 among the best values for international relations & national security. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $34,575. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
Narrow International Relations & National Security Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
