2026 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 99 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 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
Leading the list is Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, our #1 best value for international relations & national security in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $30,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $14,799 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $14,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #4 place for international relations & national security. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. 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.
Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,767. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $40,628. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Fairmont State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $35,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #7 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $39,275. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in international relations & national security this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #9 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #10 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #11 spot for international relations & national security value this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #12 among the best values for international relations & national security. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Troy University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $79,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Memphis landed the #14 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Old Dominion University landed the #15 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $33,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $51,555 early in their careers. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Kentucky landed the #17 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #18 position for value in international relations & national security this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $59,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas placed #19 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $22,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Georgia Southern University landed the #20 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,008. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $27,664. That is a strong return on a $25,008 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University came in at #21 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $23,000. International Relations & National Security graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $34,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Virginia Military Institute landed the #22 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,046, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University earned the #23 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,460. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $44,667. Set against $18,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Regent University came in at #24 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $29,451. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $50,406. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,086 in student loans. 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. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s international relations & national security value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
