by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Relations & National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international relations & national security schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international relations & national security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Pennsylvania State University World Campus the best value for a degree in international relations & national security in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national 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.
University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $10,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carnegie Mellon University earned it the #4 place for international relations & national security. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Dickinson College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. Students from in state pay about $65,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the international relations & national security program here. International Relations & National Security graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
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Lafayette College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $16,620. Early-career international relations & national security graduates make about $58,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University came in at #8 for value in international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $21,250. International Relations & National Security graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $36,147 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Duquesne University placed #9 among the best values for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. International Relations & National Security graduates carry a median of $26,113 in student loans. International Relations & National Security graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $39,630 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bucknell University landed the #10 spot for international relations & national security value this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. Typical student debt for international relations & national security graduates is $25,951. International Relations & National Security graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $77,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.