2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value international relations & national security schools.
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2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes 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
University Of Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among international relations & national security schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $66,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #2 place for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $19,250. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $56,110. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $38,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $28,202. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #6 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $38,810. That is a strong return on a $24,766 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $32,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,625 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $40,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford earned the #9 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,977 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $38,766 early in their careers. Set against $21,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,250. International Relations & National Security graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $41,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marquette University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $20,750. International Relations & National Security graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $43,290 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.
Butler University came in at #12 for value in international relations & national security this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,351. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. That is a strong return on a $25,351 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
