2026 Best Value International Security Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for international security in the United States. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. International Security graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. International Security graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

2

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 #2. 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, 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. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

3

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $35,925 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

4

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

A rank of #4 makes Angelo State University one of the best values for international security. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $11,066. International Security graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $60,519 early in their careers. Set against $11,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

5

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #5 makes Harvard University one of the best values for international security. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

6

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for international security. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $25,347. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

7

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #7 spot for international security value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. International Security graduates carry a median of $17,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $63,873. Set against $17,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

8

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University came in at #8 for value in international security this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $24,747. International Security graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

9

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #9 among the best values for international security. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the international security program here. Early-career international security graduates make about $76,550. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

10

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #10 for value in international security this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

11

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international security 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. International Security graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $73,385. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

12

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #12 spot for international security value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. 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. Early-career international security graduates make about $61,625. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

13

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. International Security graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $67,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #14 among the best values for international security. 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, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $21,818. Early-career international security graduates make about $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station placed #15 among the best values for international security. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. 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 $62,266 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

16

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #16 spot for international security value this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete the international security program here. International Security graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $68,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.

17

Norwich University
Northfield, VT

Norwich University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Located in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $16,850. International Security graduates of Norwich University earn a median of $66,348 early in their careers. Set against $16,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

18

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University earned the #18 position for value in international security this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international security graduates is $27,852. Early-career international security graduates make about $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #19 position for value in international security this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. International Security graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career international security graduates make about $54,227. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value international security schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. International Security graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $60,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

21

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University landed the #21 spot for international security value this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. International Security graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. International Security graduates of Duke University earn a median of $71,278 early in their careers. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

22

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University landed the #22 spot for international security value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. International Security graduates carry a median of $24,443 in student loans. International Security graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $60,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,443 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.