2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in Texas
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 20 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 Texas
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 Rice University, our #1 best value for international relations & national security in Texas. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $82,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #2 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $79,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #3. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,343 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $25,879. Set against $24,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Angelo State University earned it the #4 place for international relations & national security. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $11,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,275. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $61,625. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $18,344 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $20,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,344 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #7 for value in international relations & national security this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $62,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University placed #8 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,434 in tuition and fees. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $56,547. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Baylor University landed the #9 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $22,409. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $37,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
