2027 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools in the The Plains States Region
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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 The Plains States Region
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 University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best value for a degree in international relations & national security in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,167 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $28,596. That is a strong return on a $21,167 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #2 makes Bellevue University one of the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at Kansas State University, which ranked #3. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,818. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. 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. Set against $26,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Carleton College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Webster University earned the #7 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $66,017. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Drake University came in at #8 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. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
