2026 Best Value International Security Schools

1

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino tops our 2026 list of the best value international security schools in the United States. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $15,149. International Security graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

2

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Students looking for strong value in international security will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

3

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fairmont State University earned it the #3 place for international security. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $35,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

4

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

Students looking for strong value in international security will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #4. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. International Security graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. International Security graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $79,569 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

5

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Students looking for strong value in international security will find it at Angelo State University, which ranked #5. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. International Security graduates carry a median of $11,066 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $56,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

6

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia landed the #6 spot for international security value this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. International Security graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $43,564. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

7

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #7 position for value in international security this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

8

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

9

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #9 position for value in international security this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $17,134 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $49,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

10

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University landed the #10 spot for international security value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $51,931. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

11

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #11 position for value in international security this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. International Security graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. International Security graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $60,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

12

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #12 spot for international security value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. International Security graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $35,802. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

13

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #13 position for value in international security this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $22,113. Early-career international security graduates make about $51,555. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

14

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #14 for value in international security this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $59,015. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

15

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #15 spot for international security value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $61,625 early in their careers. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #16 among the best values for international security. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. International Security graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $67,146. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

17

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #17 for value in international security this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station placed #18 among the best values for international security. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $20,031. International Security graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $62,296 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

19

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #19 among the best values for international security. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

20

Norwich University
Northfield, VT

Norwich University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,740. Students borrow a median of $16,850 to complete the international security program here. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Norwich University generally make around $54,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

21

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. International Security graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #22 position for value in international security this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $48,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

23

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #23 among the best values for international security. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $24,958. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $60,025. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

24

University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,332. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $49,615. Set against $26,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

25

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University landed the #25 spot for international security value this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of Duke University earn a median of $71,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.