2027 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations & national security education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for international relations & national security students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Rice University earned the #1 spot for value among international relations & national security schools in Texas. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $79,569. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,343. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $25,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Angelo State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $11,066. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $56,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $18,344. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $20,547. That is a strong return on a $18,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $61,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #7 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. 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 earned the #8 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $62,296. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University came in at #9 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,434. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,040. 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. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #10 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. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $22,409 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $37,507. That is a strong return on a $22,409 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
More International Relations & National Security Rankings
View All International Relations & National Security Rankings >
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 · 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.