2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Master’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations & national security education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 449 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 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
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among international relations & national security schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $67,588. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $10,492. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $76,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #3 place for international relations & national security. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #4 place for international relations & national security. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. 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. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for international relations & national security. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. 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. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $30,627. That is a strong return on a $13,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. 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.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for international relations & national security. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,323. International Relations & National Security graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Rice University earned the #9 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $82,320. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #10 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international relations & national security program here. 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. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #11 position for value in international relations & national security this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $79,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Florida State University placed #12 among the best values for international relations & national security. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,767 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $49,158. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University came in at #13 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $18,637 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $33,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #14 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #15 for value in international relations & national security this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $22,754. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #16 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #17 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Fairmont State University placed #18 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $35,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Angelo State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $11,066. International Relations & National Security graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $60,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,066 median debt. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #20 spot for international relations & national security value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #21 among the best values for international relations & national security. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $12,000. International Relations & National Security graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $76,550 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
San Diego State University placed #22 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $63,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,747. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Troy University earned the #24 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $79,581. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #25 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,861. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $75,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international relations & national security:
Other International Relations & National Security Degree Levels
Explore the best-value international relations & national security schools at other degree levels:
View All International Relations & National Security Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 449 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
