2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations & national security education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 99 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international relations & national security schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for international relations & national security in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $11,691. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $67,588 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $13,337. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $30,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Johns Hopkins University one of 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. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $60,277. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Delaware earned the #6 position for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,000. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $38,250. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Towson University came in at #7 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,000. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $39,208. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Suny At Albany placed #8 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,521. International Relations & National Security graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo came in at #9 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,519. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $36,754. That is a strong return on a $21,519 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport placed #10 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for value in international relations & national security 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $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 #12 among the best values for international relations & national security. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $41,000. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #13 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #14 for value in international relations & national security this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,952 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $34,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Colgate University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #16 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,958. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $60,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Seton Hall University landed the #17 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Rochester came in at #18 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $65,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,470 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #20 for value in international relations & national security this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,529. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Hobart William Smith Colleges earned the #21 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Geneva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,928. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $26,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Dickinson College landed the #22 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,650. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $39,937. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Cornell University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $15,005. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College landed the #24 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 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
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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
