2026 Best Value International Relations National Security Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

University Of Virginia Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

For return on investment, no school beat University Of Virginia Main Campus this year in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $20,672. University Of Virginia Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $86,863 a decade after entry. Set against $20,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report

#2

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

You'll get strong value at Kansas State University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Kansas State University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $23,546 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. More on Kansas State University

#3

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Atlanta, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #3 place in the United States. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $24,323. Median earnings reach $102,772 ten years out. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%. More on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

#4

University Of South Florida Main Campus

Tampa, FL

Out of the 449 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #4 spot. Located in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,743. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%. Read the full report on University Of South Florida Main Campus

#5

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Out of the 449 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #5 spot. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $87,555. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Johns Hopkins University has an acceptance rate of 6%. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report

#6

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $64,372 ten years out. Read more about Claremont Graduate University

#7

Florida International University

Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #7 among the best-value International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Located in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $18,637 in student loans. Median earnings reach $60,249 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,637 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants. More on Florida International University

#8

Rutgers University Newark

Newark, NJ

Rutgers University Newark offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Rutgers University Newark is a public school based in Newark, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Rutgers University Newark International Relations National Security students take on a median of $25,065 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,479 ten years after entry. Set against $25,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Rutgers University Newark

#9

Tufts University

Medford, MA

Tufts University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $16,375. Tufts University alumni report median earnings of $83,214 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Tufts University

#10

American University

Washington, DC

American University placed #10 among the best-value International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $23,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $77,370 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 62% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about American University

#11

University Of Central Florida

Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $21,620. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,308 ten years after entry. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Central Florida

#12

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #12 among the best-value International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $13,765. University Of Southern California alumni report median earnings of $92,498 a decade after entry. Set against $13,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Southern California

#13

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. Set in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Old Dominion University alumni report median earnings of $54,914 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. More on Old Dominion University

#14

University Of Denver

Denver, CO

University Of Denver landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $19,500. University Of Denver alumni report median earnings of $71,155 a decade after entry. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Denver

#15

Pennsylvania State University World Campus

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #15 among the best-value International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University World Campus

#16

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. Read the full report on Santa Monica College

#17

University Of Bridgeport

University Of Bridgeport came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Bridgeport

#18

Lehigh University

Lehigh University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Lehigh University profile

#19

Sonoma State University

Sonoma State University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Sonoma State University report

#20

University Of South Carolina Columbia

University Of South Carolina Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. See the full University Of South Carolina Columbia profile

#21

Washington University In St Louis

Washington University In St Louis came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Washington University In St Louis

#22

Portland State University

Portland State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. More on Portland State University

#23

The University Of Texas At San Antonio

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. More on The University Of Texas At San Antonio

#24

University Of California Davis

University Of California Davis offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full University Of California Davis report

#25

Bakersfield College

Bakersfield College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. See the full Bakersfield College profile

#26

Chaminade University Of Honolulu

Chaminade University Of Honolulu came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Chaminade University Of Honolulu

#27

Cornell University

Cornell University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. More on Cornell University

#28

Depaul University

Depaul University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Depaul University

#29

Gordon College

Gordon College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Gordon College

#30

Hendrix College

Hendrix College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on Hendrix College

#31

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Hobart William Smith Colleges ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. Get the full Hobart William Smith Colleges report

#32

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

#33

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. More on Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

#34

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University

#35

Nazareth College

Nazareth College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Nazareth College

#36

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University placed #36 among the best-value International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University

#37

Edgewood College

Edgewood College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. Read the full report on Edgewood College

#38

Marquette University

Marquette University landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Marquette University

#39

University Of Akron Main Campus

University Of Akron Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full University Of Akron Main Campus profile

#40

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile

#41

Fordham University

Fordham University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. See the full Fordham University profile

#42

Marshall University

Marshall University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. Get the full Marshall University report

#43

The New School

The New School placed #43 among the best-value International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Get the full The New School report

#44

George Washington University

George Washington University offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. See the full George Washington University profile

#45

University Of La Verne

University Of La Verne ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value International Relations National Security schools. More on University Of La Verne

#46

Linfield College

Linfield College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Linfield College report

#47

Lynchburg College

Lynchburg College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Lynchburg College report

#48

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

#49

Lander University

Lander University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Lander University profile

#50

Institute Of World Politics

Institute Of World Politics offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Institute Of World Politics report