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2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

35 Ranked Colleges
1,290 Degrees Awarded
$18,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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.

This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 35 colleges that offered 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the international relations program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region international relations students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for International Relations in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 113 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #3 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,619 for great lakes region international relations students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington International Relations Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $12,416 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on International Relations at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 176 students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,845 for great lakes region international relations students with aid per year to attend Ohio State.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on International Relations at Ohio State

4
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $19,058 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about International Relations at Michigan State University

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 20 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,234 for great lakes region international relations students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

6
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students with aid list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,279 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend Northwestern.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on International Relations at Northwestern

7
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

With a ranking of #7, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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 estimated yearly cost for USI is $13,481 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

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%.

Read more about International Relations at USI

8
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Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #8, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Oakland is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $13,449 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on International Relations at Oakland University

9
Indiana University - Southeast crest
Indiana University - Southeast
New Albany, Indiana

Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Located in New Albany, Indiana, this small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Southeast is $11,446 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

Read full report on International Relations at Indiana University - Southeast

10
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. GVSU is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,356 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend GVSU.

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%.

Read full report on International Relations at GVSU

11
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s international relations 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. It costs about $16,007 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend Central Michigan.

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 University

12

With a ranking of #12, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 91 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also made our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $24,756 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Miami University - Oxford International Relations Report

13

Cleveland State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cleveland State University is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State University is $16,943 for great lakes region international relations students with aid.

Read more about International Relations at Cleveland State University

14
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dominican U, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican University is $18,645 for great lakes region international relations students with aid.

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 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%.

Read full report on International Relations at Dominican U

15

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school handed out 42 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC is $22,415 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

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%.

Full UC International Relations Report

16
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Northern Michigan University is $15,214 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

Full Northern Michigan University International Relations Report

17
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $15,127 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

Full Eastern Michigan International Relations Report

18

Kent State University at Kent ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kent State University at Kent is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,117 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend Kent State.

Full Kent State International Relations Report

19
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Beloit College 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students with aid list, Beloit has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Beloit College is $12,246 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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. 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

20
Walsh crest
Walsh University
North Canton, Ohio

Walsh University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Walsh University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in North Canton, Ohio. It awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students with aid list, Walsh has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Walsh University is $16,276 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Walsh

21
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 34 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $25,692 for great lakes region international relations students with aid per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Wheaton College Illinois

22
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Ashland, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,974 for great lakes region international relations students with aid per year to attend Ashland University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Ashland

23
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 162 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students 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. It costs about $28,517 for great lakes region international relations students with aid per year to attend University of Chicago.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full University of Chicago International Relations Report

24
Lake Forest crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Lake Forest is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lake Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees 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. It costs about $23,991 for great lakes region international relations students with aid per year to attend Lake Forest College.

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

25
Wittenberg crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio

Wittenberg University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Springfield, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

Wittenberg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wittenberg University is $21,508 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students with aid.

Read more about International Relations at Wittenberg University

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