2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for international relations in the Far Western Region. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $10,492. 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. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $17,101. International Relations graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

3

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

5

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $18,914 to complete the international relations program here. 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.

6

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University earned the #6 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $30,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

7

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #7 among the best values for international relations. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $12,416 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $34,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

8

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,134 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,162. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #9 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,437. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $29,539. That is a strong return on a $23,437 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

10

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Claremont Mckenna College placed #10 among the best values for international relations. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,980 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Claremont Mckenna College generally make around $66,028. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

11

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego earned the #11 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,100. International Relations graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $50,948 early in their careers. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.

12

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #12 for value in international relations this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $13,765 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $52,262 early in their careers. Set against $13,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

13

Lewis And Clark College
Portland, OR

Lewis And Clark College earned the #13 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,828. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.

14

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College earned the #14 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,274 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,275 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $35,231. That is a strong return on a $19,275 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #15 among the best values for international relations. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,508. International Relations graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $36,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

16

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University landed the #16 spot for international relations value this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. International Relations graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $34,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.