2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 39 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 the Southeast 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
For return on investment in international relations & national security, no school beat Florida International University this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,637 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $33,417 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,637 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for international relations & national security. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,323. International Relations & National Security graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #3 place for international relations & national security. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $13,410. International Relations & National Security graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $63,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,767. International Relations & National Security graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,628 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,767 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $30,977. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Fairmont State University came in at #6 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,250. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $35,925. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #7 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #8 position for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $19,500. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $39,275. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #9 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,572. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $21,915. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #11 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $22,444. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,772. International Relations & National Security graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Old Dominion University earned the #13 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $33,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
George Mason University placed #14 among the best values for international relations & national security. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $59,015. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University placed #15 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $34,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Virginia Military Institute landed the #16 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $44,429. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $51,555. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Georgia Southern University came in at #18 for value in international relations & national security this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $25,008 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $27,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
College Of William And Mary ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $47,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Wofford College earned the #20 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,005. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $43,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Troy University earned the #21 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $79,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #22 among the best values for international relations & national security. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,094. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $47,514 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Arkansas earned the #23 position for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $22,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #24 spot for international relations & national security value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,672 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $46,870. That is a strong return on a $20,672 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington placed #25 among the best values for international relations & national security. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,086. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $30,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international relations & national security:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 39 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.
