2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in New York
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 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 New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for international relations & national security in New York. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for international relations & national security. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $12,678. 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.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,627 early in their careers. Set against $13,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #4 spot 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. International Relations & National Security graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,258. International Relations & National Security graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $80,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security value this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $41,000. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Cornell University earned the #7 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Colgate University came in at #8 for value in international relations & national security this year. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,286. 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. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Hamilton College earned the #9 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $45,332. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #10 spot for international relations & national security value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,750. 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. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Hobart William Smith Colleges ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,928. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Hobart William Smith Colleges generally make around $40,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Skidmore College placed #12 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,140. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,274. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Skidmore College generally make around $34,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #13 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New York University placed #14 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of New York University earn a median of $59,814 early in their careers. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University placed #15 among the best values for international relations & national security. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,443 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $62,805. Set against $24,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Vassar College came in at #16 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $20,232 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $31,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
Fordham University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,843 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $53,681. That is a strong return on a $25,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
The New School placed #18 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $47,855. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
