2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in New York
[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 40 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 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
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among international relations & national security schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $67,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for international relations & national security. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, 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. Set against $13,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Suny At Geneseo, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,519. International Relations & National Security graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $36,754 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Suny At Albany is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #6 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #7 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $80,448. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #8 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Colgate University placed #9 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. 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. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester came in at #10 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,750. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $60,865. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Cornell University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. 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. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $15,005. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hobart William Smith Colleges ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,928. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $26,000. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $40,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Skidmore College came in at #13 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $18,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
New York University landed the #14 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,897. International Relations & National Security graduates of New York University earn a median of $59,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Vassar College came in at #15 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $20,232 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $31,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #16 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,443 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $62,805. Set against $24,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Fordham University landed the #17 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $53,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
The New School came in at #18 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from The New School generally make around $47,855. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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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 · 40 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.
