2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the The Plains States 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 35 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 The Plains States 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
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among international relations & national security schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $21,167 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $28,596. Set against $21,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the best values for international relations & national security. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,818. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $26,030. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $36,376. That is a strong return on a $26,030 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Webster University one of the best values for international relations & national security. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $66,017. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Carleton College, which ranked #5. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,566. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $45,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University placed #6 among the best values for international relations & national security. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Drake University earned the #7 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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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 · 35 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.
