2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for international relations & national security students.
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2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Rice University tops our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $11,904. International Relations & National Security graduates of Rice University earn a median of $82,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $79,569. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $20,632. International Relations & National Security graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $29,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #4 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $68,957. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,343 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $25,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,343 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Angelo State University landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $11,066 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $56,883. That is a strong return on a $11,066 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #7 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $75,863 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $19,738. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #9 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $18,344 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $20,547 early in their careers. Set against $18,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #10 position for value in international relations & national security this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,275. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $61,625. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Texas earned the #11 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #12 among the best values for international relations & national security. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $20,031. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $62,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
St Marys University earned the #13 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,434. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $56,547. Set against $25,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Oral Roberts University earned the #14 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $28,022. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $41,180. Set against $28,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #15 for value in international relations & national security this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. Students borrow a median of $22,901 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $46,868. Set against $22,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Baylor University placed #16 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $22,409 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $37,507. Set against $22,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
