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2023 Best Value Colleges for International Relations (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

35 Ranked Colleges
1,290 Degrees Awarded
$11,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 13,117 people earned their degree in international relations, making the major the 63rd most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,290 international relations graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 35 colleges that offer a degree in international relations. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great international relations programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the international relations program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for International Relations (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 162 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $4,777 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on International Relations at University of Chicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $917 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on International Relations at Northwestern University

3
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 113 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,061 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend IU Bloomington.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full IU Bloomington International Relations Report

4

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 20 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations at University of Wisconsin - Madison

5

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 176 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #4 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,581 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Relations at Ohio State University - Main Campus

6
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Beloit is a private not-for-profit institution located in Beloit, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Beloit also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Beloit College is $8,873 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations at Beloit College

7

With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 20 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, IUPUI has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,216 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis International Relations Report

8
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

Denison University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Denison is a private not-for-profit institution located in Granville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Denison also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $14,686 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Denison University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Denison International Relations Report

9
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 16 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,839 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Oakland University International Relations Report

10
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Southern Indiana is a medium-sized school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

USI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern Indiana is $10,440 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Southern Indiana International Relations Report

11
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $18,519 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Wheaton College Illinois

12
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

GVSU also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $11,026 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full GVSU International Relations Report

13
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 106 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #9 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,170 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations at Michigan State University

14
Indiana University - Southeast crest
Indiana University - Southeast
New Albany, Indiana

Indiana University - Southeast landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in New Albany, Indiana, and it awarded 7 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Southeast is $8,556 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Indiana University - Southeast International Relations Report

15
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $12,346 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations at Central Michigan

16

Miami University - Oxford came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #8 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,062 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Miami University - Oxford

17
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Marquette, Michigan, and it awarded 3 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northern Michigan University is $10,573 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on International Relations at Northern Michigan University

18
Walsh crest
Walsh University
North Canton, Ohio

Walsh University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Canton, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Walsh also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Walsh is $13,457 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Walsh University International Relations Report

19
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Marquette University is a fairly large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 39 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marquette, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marquette is $21,378 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Marquette University International Relations Report

20
Lake Forest crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

Lake Forest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lake Forest College is $16,238 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lake Forest International Relations Report

21

Cleveland State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 25 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $14,813 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Cleveland State University International Relations Report

22
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

With a ranking of #22, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $13,265 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Eastern Michigan International Relations Report

23

Kent State University at Kent ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 10 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Kent State University at Kent is $15,021 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on International Relations at Kent State University at Kent

24
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Dominican U also took the #16 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $14,903 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on International Relations at Dominican University

25

With a ranking of #25, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 42 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC is $15,966 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

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