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

2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in the New England Region

17 Colleges in the United States
$21,924 Avg Student Debt
$73,912 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong international relations education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment 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 the New England Region

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

Best Value International Relations Schools

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for international relations in the New England Region. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the best values for international relations. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

4

University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.

5
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wellesley College earned it the #5 place for international relations. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $11,075. International Relations graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

ADBLOCK #101
6

University Of Maine landed the #6 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $35,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

7
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University came in at #7 for value in international relations this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $12,000. Early-career international relations graduates make about $46,284. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.

8
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College earned the #8 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $15,948. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $68,770. That is a strong return on a $15,948 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.

9
Norwich University crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT

Norwich University placed #9 among the best values for international relations. Set in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,740. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $16,850. Early-career international relations graduates make about $54,985. Set against $16,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants.

10
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #10 among the best values for international relations. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,000. Early-career international relations graduates make about $48,622. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #115
11
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #11 spot for international relations value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12

Suffolk University came in at #12 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,990 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $57,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

13
New England College crest
New England College
Henniker, NH

New England College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,474. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $35,038. International Relations graduates of New England College earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. Set against $35,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

14

Northeastern University came in at #14 for value in international relations this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $60,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

15

Southern New Hampshire University landed the #15 spot for international relations value this year. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,200. Students borrow a median of $29,103 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $53,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #145
16
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $26,244. Early-career international relations graduates make about $49,615. Set against $26,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.

17
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #17 position for value in international relations this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. International Relations graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $63,706. That is a strong return on a $16,375 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

18

Salve Regina University landed the #18 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $56,636. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salve Regina University admits about 68% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #173
View All International Relations Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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