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2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania

8 Colleges in the United States
$21,597 Avg Student Debt
$88,754 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Badge [International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 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 Pennsylvania

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

1

Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University World Campus, our #1 best value for international relations & national security in Pennsylvania. 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. International Relations & National Security graduates of Pennsylvania State University World 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 World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $10,470 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $65,559. That is a strong return on a $10,470 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

4

Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,529. International Relations & National Security graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $45,858. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

6
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College landed the #6 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. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,620. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $58,433. That is a strong return on a $16,620 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

7
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #7 for value in international relations & national security this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $36,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.

8
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University came in at #8 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $77,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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