2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 88 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.
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2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations Schools
For return on investment in international relations, no school beat Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. International Relations graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #2 place for international relations. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,250. Early-career international relations graduates make about $30,977. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,767 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,628 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,767 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $18,637. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $33,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $14,799. International Relations graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #6 among the best values for international relations. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $19,500. International Relations graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $39,275 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for value in international relations this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #8 among the best values for international relations. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. International Relations graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #9 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. International Relations graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the international relations program here. International Relations graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Troy University landed the #11 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $79,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Memphis landed the #12 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. International Relations graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #13 among the best values for international relations. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $51,555. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $33,581. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky landed the #15 spot for international relations value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. International Relations graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $47,514. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
George Mason University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $59,015. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #17 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $22,612. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,008. International Relations graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $27,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,008 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University landed the #19 spot for international relations value this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $23,000. International Relations graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $34,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Virginia Military Institute earned the #20 position for value in international relations this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $44,429. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University earned the #21 position for value in international relations this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $18,460 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $44,667. That is a strong return on a $18,460 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University landed the #22 spot for international relations value this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $50,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Students borrow a median of $25,086 to complete the international relations program here. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $30,357. Set against $25,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #24 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,672. International Relations graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $46,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,672 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,000. International Relations graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $47,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value International Relations Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s international relations value ranking:
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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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
