2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in Michigan
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations & national security education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international relations & national security schools.
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2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in Michigan
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international relations & national security degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools
Oakland University tops our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools in Michigan. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Central Michigan University, which ranked #2. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $27,000. International Relations & National Security graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $35,802 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes Grand Valley State University one of the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $19,000. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $28,202. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan State University earned it the #4 place for international relations & national security. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,766 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $38,810. Set against $24,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
