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2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

37 Ranked Colleges
1,355 Degrees Awarded
$18,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Great Lakes Region” 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 Great Lakes region, there were 1,355 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,297 and $22,820 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in international relations and national security. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality international relations and national security programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Akron Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Akron Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,945 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of Akron Main Campus

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Valley State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.

GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,356 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend GVSU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Grand Valley State University

3
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Michigan University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 22 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,007 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend Central Michigan.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Central Michigan

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #10 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $17,234 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at UW - Madison

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern Indiana. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized public school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

USI also took the #19 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,481 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend USI.

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 full report on International Relations & National Security at USI

6
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and it awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $15,127 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Eastern Michigan

7

Cleveland State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State University is $16,943 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Cleveland State University

8

Kent State University at Kent landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Kent State is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 10 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,117 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend Kent State.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Kent State

9

With a ranking of #9, Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 16 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Wright State University - Main Campus also took the #21 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,962 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Wright State University - Main Campus

10
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northern Michigan University is $15,214 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

Full Northern Michigan University International Relations & National Security Report

11

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 176 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $16,845 for great lakes region international relations students.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ohio State International Relations & National Security Report

12
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ashland is a small school located in Ashland, Ohio that handed out 3 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ashland University is $20,974 for great lakes region international relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Ashland

13

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $22,415 for great lakes region international relations students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC International Relations & National Security Report

14
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #14, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Oakland University is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 16 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $13,449 for great lakes region international relations students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Oakland

15

With a ranking of #15, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 124 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $14,619 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Indiana University - Bloomington

16

Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. Indiana University - Southeast is located in New Albany, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Southeast is $11,446 for great lakes region international relations students.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Indiana University - Southeast

17

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 20 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

IUPUI also took the #20 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,416 for great lakes region international relations students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

18
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 34 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Wheaton College Illinois did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $25,692 for great lakes region international relations students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wheaton College Illinois International Relations & National Security Report

19

University of Toledo ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Toledo is a fairly large school located in Toledo, Ohio that handed out 3 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,312 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend University of Toledo.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of Toledo

20
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 39 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marquette, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $30,380 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend Marquette.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Marquette University

21

Miami University - Oxford ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 91 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #8 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $24,756 for great lakes region international relations students per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Miami University - Oxford International Relations & National Security Report

22
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. DePaul University is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 39 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

DePaul also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul University is $31,174 for great lakes region international relations students.

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%.

Full DePaul University International Relations & National Security Report

23
Walsh crest
Walsh University
North Canton, Ohio

Walsh University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in North Canton, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,276 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend Walsh University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Walsh University International Relations & National Security Report

24
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Dominican University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dominican U, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $18,645 for great lakes region international relations students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Dominican University International Relations & National Security Report

25
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 106 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $19,058 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students per year to attend Michigan State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Michigan State University

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