2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in Virginia
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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 Virginia
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
Our analysis ranked Virginia Military Institute the best value for a degree in international relations & national security in Virginia. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. 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. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of William And Mary earned it the #3 place for international relations & national security. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $47,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
A rank of #4 makes George Mason University one of the best values for international relations & national security. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $59,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $20,672 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $46,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #6 position for value in international relations & national security this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,086. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $30,357 early in their careers. Set against $25,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
James Madison University came in at #7 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $18,460 in student loans. 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. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Hampden Sydney College placed #8 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,550. Students borrow a median of $26,494 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Hampden Sydney College generally make around $45,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #9 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $44,638. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University placed #10 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $48,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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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.
