2026 Best Value International Relations Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among international relations schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $67,588. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #2 place for international relations. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $76,166. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #3 place for international relations. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,678. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

4

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 #4 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

6

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #6 spot for international relations value this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

7

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #7 position for value in international relations this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $13,337 in student loans. 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.

8

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #8 for value in international relations this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $82,320. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

9

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. International Relations graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $39,275. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

10

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #10 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $17,767. Early-career international relations graduates make about $49,158. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

11

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $18,637 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

12

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #12 among the best values for international relations. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $16,616. Early-career international relations graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

13

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #13 among the best values for international relations. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $16,750. International Relations graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #14 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the international relations program here. 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.

15

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #15 position for value in international relations this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

16

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #16 position for value in international relations this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

17

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $76,550. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

18

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #18 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $17,134. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,162. That is a strong return on a $17,134 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

19

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University came in at #19 for value in international relations this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Troy University earn a median of $79,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.

20

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University placed #20 among the best values for international relations. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,000. International Relations graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $73,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #21 for value in international relations this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $66,182. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky placed #22 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $47,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

23

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $51,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

24

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #24 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

25

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #25 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,275. International Relations graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $61,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.