ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in New York

18 Colleges in the United States
$20,360 Avg Student Debt
$73,694 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value International Relations Badge [International Relations](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-relations/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
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 New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value International Relations Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools in New York. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $67,588. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

3
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for international relations. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, 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. Set against $13,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

4
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Geneseo earned it the #4 place for international relations. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,519 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

5
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Albany earned it the #5 place for international relations. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Suny College At Brockport placed #6 among the best values for international relations. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for international relations value this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,258. Early-career international relations graduates make about $80,448. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

8

State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #8 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,530. International Relations graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $41,000 early in their careers. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

9
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University earned the #9 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $16,286. Early-career international relations graduates make about $52,924. Set against $16,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

10

University Of Rochester placed #10 among the best values for international relations. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Cornell University placed #11 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

12

Hobart William Smith Colleges ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,928. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Hobart William Smith Colleges generally make around $40,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hobart William Smith Colleges admits about 64% of applicants.

13
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College came in at #13 for value in international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,140. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

14
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #14 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $59,814. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

15
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College earned the #15 position for value in international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,232. International Relations graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $31,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.

ADBLOCK #145
16
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #16 among the best values for international relations. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,443. Early-career international relations graduates make about $62,805. Set against $24,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.

17

Fordham University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,843. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $53,681. That is a strong return on a $25,843 median debt. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.

18
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School earned the #18 position for value in international relations this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $47,855. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

ADBLOCK #173
View All International Relations Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 40 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options