2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
19
Ranked Colleges
410
Degrees Awarded
$15,400
Avg Net Price*
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 Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 14,306 people earned their degree in international relations and national security, making the major the 67th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, international relations and national security graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $41,288 and had an average of $21,455 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 410 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,421 and $22,849 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in international relations and national security. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great international relations and national security 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 and national security program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank International Relations & National Security Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington University in St Louis is $1,556 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Washington University in St Louis
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #2 spot on the list. Carleton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Carleton has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carleton College is $6,208 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Carleton College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 99 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at UMN Twin Cities
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 12 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of Minnesota - Duluth
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 35 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,554 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.
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 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Iowa International Relations & National Security Report
Saint Cloud State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full St. Cloud State University International Relations & National Security Report
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about International Relations & National Security at Minnesota State Mankato
Webster University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Webster is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Webster not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Webster University is $18,047 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 full report on International Relations & National Security at Webster University
Kansas State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
K -State also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $13,436 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 K -State International Relations & National Security Report
Loras College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Dubuque, Iowa, and it awarded 8 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loras, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,261 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Loras.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Loras College
Lindenwood University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 8 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $12,948 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 full report on International Relations & National Security at Lindenwood University
Bellevue University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bellevue University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Bellevue, Nebraska. It awarded 14 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Bellevue University also took the #18 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $17,383 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Bellevue University
With a ranking of #13, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SLU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,136 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Louis University.
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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 SLU International Relations & National Security Report
With a ranking of #14, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota 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.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bethel University Minnesota has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bethel University Minnesota is $21,313 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Bethel University Minnesota
Creighton University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 8 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Creighton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Creighton is $23,398 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Creighton
Drake University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Drake is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Des Moines, Iowa. It awarded 12 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Drake also took the #6 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $25,309 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Drake.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Drake
With a ranking of #17, Augsburg University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augsburg University is a small school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 6 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augsburg, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augsburg University is $20,989 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Augsburg
Cornell College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,806 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cornell College.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Cornell College International Relations & National Security Report
University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of St Thomas Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k list, UST MN has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Thomas Minnesota is $32,436 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 University of St Thomas Minnesota International Relations & National Security Report
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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