2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Virginia
[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 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international relations students.
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2026 Best Value International Relations Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Relations Schools
George Mason University tops our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. International Relations graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $59,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,750. Early-career international relations graduates make about $33,581. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Virginia Military Institute, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,500. Early-career international relations graduates make about $44,429. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at Regent University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $29,451. International Relations graduates of Regent University earn a median of $50,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international relations will find it at James Madison University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $18,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $44,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #6 spot for international relations value this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $25,086. Early-career international relations graduates make about $30,357. That is a strong return on a $25,086 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
College Of William And Mary placed #7 among the best values for international relations. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. International Relations graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $47,270. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #8 for value in international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $20,672. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $46,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #9 among the best values for international relations. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the international relations program here. Early-career international relations graduates make about $44,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Hampden Sydney College earned the #10 position for value in international relations this year. Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. In-state tuition and fees average $54,550. International Relations graduates carry a median of $26,494 in student loans. Early-career international relations graduates make about $45,238. Set against $26,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hampden Sydney College admits about 41% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for international relations graduates is $21,750. Early-career international relations graduates make about $48,897. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
