DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 9
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 45.09), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in International Business" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA in International Business" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "International Business (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "International Business (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA - International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Business Administration - International Business" with relevance 0.3
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BS in Business Administration - International Business" REJECTED (relevance 0.3)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Maryland College Park the best value for a degree in international relations in Maryland. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, 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%.
Towson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for international relations. 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. International Relations graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $60,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
[International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
