2026 Best Value International Relations Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

For return on investment in international relations, no school beat Stanford University this year. 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. International Relations graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $76,166. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #2 place for international relations. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $17,767. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

5

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,250. International Relations graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $30,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

6

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #6 for value in international relations this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $50,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #7 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $19,500. 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.

8

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #8 for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,637 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $33,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #9 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,416 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $34,949. That is a strong return on a $12,416 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

10

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #10 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,254 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

11

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida landed the #11 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $14,799 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

12

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #12 spot for international relations value 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. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,914 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $27,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

13

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #13 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

14

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #14 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. 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.

15

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

16

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #16 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $17,134 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,162. That is a strong return on a $17,134 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

17

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #17 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $36,100 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

19

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #19 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $44,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

20

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #20 position for value in international relations this year. 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. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,343. International Relations graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $25,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,343 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

21

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University placed #21 among the best values for international relations. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $30,253. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

22

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #22 for value in international relations this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

23

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University placed #23 among the best values for international relations. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,632. International Relations graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $29,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,632 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

24

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #24 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

25

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #25 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $15,854. Early-career international relations graduates make about $66,182. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.