2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 96 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international relations schools.
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2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $11,691. Early-career international relations graduates make about $67,588. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for international relations. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,678. International Relations graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, 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. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $13,337 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,337 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $60,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Delaware came in at #6 for value in international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $38,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Towson University placed #7 among the best values for international relations. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. International Relations graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $39,208. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny At Albany came in at #8 for value in international relations this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,519 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $36,754. Set against $21,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $80,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #12 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #13 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #14 for value in international relations this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,952. Early-career international relations graduates make about $34,841. Set against $24,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Colgate University placed #15 among the best values for international relations. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. In-state tuition and fees average $70,306. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $16,286. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #16 among the best values for international relations. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,958. Early-career international relations graduates make about $60,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Seton Hall University earned the #17 position for value in international relations this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $56,057. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Rochester landed the #18 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $10,470. International Relations graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $65,559 early in their careers. Set against $10,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #20 among the best values for international relations. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Hobart William Smith Colleges placed #21 among the best values for international relations. Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Geneva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,928. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Hobart William Smith Colleges generally make around $40,648. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,650. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University earned the #23 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. International Relations graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $75,976. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Lafayette College came in at #24 for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $58,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value International Relations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international relations:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
