2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations & national security students.
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2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among international relations & national security schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. 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. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $67,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $13,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,627. That is a strong return on a $13,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Baltimore one of the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $29,681. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $56,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
Suny At Albany earned the #6 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #7 for value in international relations & national security this year. 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 $60,277 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Delaware placed #8 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $38,250 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $39,208. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #10 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $80,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #11 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $45,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $10,470. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University landed the #14 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University placed #15 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,449 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Drew University earn a median of $34,305 early in their careers. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Colgate University placed #16 among the best values for international relations & national security. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Set against $16,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
Hamilton College landed the #17 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,960. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #19 position for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $60,025. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Seton Hall University came in at #20 for value in international relations & national security this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $56,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Hobart William Smith Colleges earned the #22 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,928 in tuition and fees. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Hobart William Smith Colleges earn a median of $40,648 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hobart William Smith Colleges admits about 64% of applicants.
Skidmore College came in at #23 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,140. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for international relations & national security. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lafayette College came in at #25 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $16,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $58,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for international relations & national security this year:
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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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
