by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in international relations, no school beat Pennsylvania State University World Campus this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $24,958. International Relations graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $60,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $10,470. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. 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.
Dickinson College came in at #5 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. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $19,000. Early-career international relations graduates make about $39,937. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.
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Lafayette College earned the #6 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,620 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $58,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,620 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 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. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lehigh University landed the #8 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $36,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Duquesne University placed #9 among the best values for international relations. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,113 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $39,630. That is a strong return on a $26,113 median debt. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
Bucknell University placed #10 among the best values for international relations. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,812. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,951. Early-career international relations graduates make about $77,312. Set against $25,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.