2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in Massachusetts

[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 10 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 Massachusetts
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
For return on investment in international relations & national security, no school beat University Of Massachusetts Lowell this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $67,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #2 place for international relations & national security. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Boston University 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 Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Boston University earn a median of $48,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Wellesley College landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $48,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Students borrow a median of $18,486 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $26,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Suffolk University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $26,990 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $57,261. Set against $26,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University earned the #9 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $60,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University placed #10 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,375. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $63,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.