2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Michigan
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international relations schools.
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2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Michigan
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international relations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Relations Schools
Our analysis ranked Oakland University the best value for a degree in international relations in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. International Relations graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $35,802. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $28,202. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $38,810. That is a strong return on a $24,766 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
