by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international security students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international security degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in international security, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. International Security graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Fairmont State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $35,925. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international security, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $11,066 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $53,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #4 place for international security. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. International Security graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $79,569. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Georgia one of the best values for international security. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
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San Diego State University came in at #6 for value in international security this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. International Security graduates carry a median of $17,134 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $35,361. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #7 position for value in international security this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $44,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $27,000. International Security graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $35,802 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #9 for value in international security this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $44,644. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norwich University earned the #10 position for value in international security this year. 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 $43,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Bellevue University landed the #11 spot for international security value this year. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $27,852. Early-career international security graduates make about $61,548. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.
Liberty University landed the #12 spot for international security value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $43,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of New Haven earned the #13 position for value in international security this year. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $26,244. 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%.
Syracuse University earned the #14 position for value in international security this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. International Security graduates carry a median of $26,635 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $43,249. Set against $26,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Explore the best-value international security schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.