2026 Best Value International Relations & National Security Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in international relations & national security in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $76,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $67,588. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Students looking for strong value in international relations & national security will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,101. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $68,368. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

5

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $30,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

6

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #6 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino earned the #8 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $15,149. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

9

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $17,767. International Relations & National Security graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,628 early in their careers. Set against $17,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

10

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University landed the #10 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $11,904. International Relations & National Security graduates of Rice University earn a median of $82,320 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

11

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University earned the #11 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

12

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #12 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $30,977. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

13

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #13 for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $50,563. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

14

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #14 spot for international relations & national security value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $39,275. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

15

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,637 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security 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%.

16

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida placed #16 among the best values for international relations & national security. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $14,799 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

17

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #17 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $24,119. International Relations & National Security graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

18

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #18 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $12,416 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $34,949. That is a strong return on a $12,416 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

19

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #19 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,750. International Relations & National Security graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #20 position for value in international relations & national security this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career international relations & national 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.

21

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #21 position for value in international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $18,914 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $27,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

22

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

23

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University came in at #23 for value in international relations & national security this year. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $35,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

24

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the international relations & national security program here. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #25 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.