2026 Best Value International Relations Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in international relations in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $76,166 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $67,588 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for international relations. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. International Relations graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,368 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

5

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $30,627. That is a strong return on a $13,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

6

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #6 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

8

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #8 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,767 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,628. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

9

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #9 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations 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. The acceptance rate is 8%.

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #10 spot for international relations value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $30,977. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

11

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $50,563. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #12 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $39,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

13

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #13 for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,637. International Relations graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $33,417 early in their careers. Set against $18,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

14

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #14 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,416. Early-career international relations graduates make about $34,949. That is a strong return on a $12,416 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

15

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #15 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

16

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #16 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $31,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $14,799 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. That is a strong return on a $14,799 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

18

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

19

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #19 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,914. Early-career international relations graduates make about $27,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

20

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #20 spot for international relations value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,836. Early-career international relations graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

21

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #21 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $22,754. International Relations graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

22

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #22 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia placed #23 among the best values for international relations. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,564. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #24 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

25

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #25 for value in international relations this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $56,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.