2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools
[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 67 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 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
For return on investment in international relations & national security, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #5 place for international relations & national security. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $76,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the international relations & national security program here. 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. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Rice University earned the #7 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $82,320. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $19,819. International Relations & National Security graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $79,569 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #9 position for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,275. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #11 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $66,182. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $30,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #13 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,767 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $49,158. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
San Francisco State University ranked #14 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $31,254. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #15 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,481. 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.
Fairmont State University landed the #16 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $35,925. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #17 for value in international relations & national security this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $68,957. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #18 spot for international relations & national security value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
San Diego State University placed #19 among the best values for international relations & national security. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Baltimore landed the #20 spot for international relations & national security value this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $56,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #21 among the best values for international relations & national security. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #22 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,574. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $67,146 early in their careers. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #23 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Suny At Albany earned the #24 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #25 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,616. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% 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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 67 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.
