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2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

19 Ranked Colleges
1,387 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 California, there were 1,387 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,402 and $17,860 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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The international relations school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. 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 California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $30-$48k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 66 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $1,581 for California 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 86%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Stanford University

2
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Claremont McKenna College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Claremont McKenna is a small school located in Claremont, California that handed out 24 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Claremont McKenna also took the #3 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,693 for california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Claremont McKenna.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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.

Full Claremont McKenna International Relations & National Security Report

3
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pomona College landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,239 for california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pomona College.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Pomona College

4

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 151 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $11,598 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at UC Davis

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 108 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,176 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

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 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - San Diego International Relations & National Security Report

6
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #6, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 190 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,345 for california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Southern California International Relations & National Security Report

7

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 85 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

UCR also took the #12 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,193 for california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at UCR

8
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 99 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,274 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at San Diego State University

9

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 & National Security at CSUSB

10
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,862 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SFSU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at SFSU

11

California State University - Chico ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 16 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Chico State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $13,040 for california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 & National Security at California State University - Chico

12
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Occidental College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Oxy did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,475 for california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oxy.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Oxy

13
USD crest
University of San Diego
San Diego, California

University of San Diego ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of San Diego is a medium-sized school located in San Diego, California that handed out 46 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $22,334 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of San Diego.

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 full report on International Relations & National Security at USD

14
University of Redlands crest
University of Redlands
Redlands, California

University of Redlands did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Redlands, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

University of Redlands also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $22,360 for california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Redlands International Relations & National Security Report

15
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #15, University of San Francisco did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USFCA is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USFCA, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USFCA is $31,994 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of San Francisco

16
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

With a ranking of #16, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Azusa Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. It costs about $27,031 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Azusa Pacific.

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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Azusa Pacific

17
ULV crest
University of La Verne
La Verne, California

With a ranking of #17, University of La Verne did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of La Verne is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in La Verne, California. It awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

ULV did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of La Verne is $29,675 for California International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of La Verne

18

Saint Mary’s College of California ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Moraga, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

SMC also took the #18 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Mary’s College of California is $30,065 for california international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at SMC

19
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Loyola Marymount is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 51 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Loyola Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola Marymount is $31,985 for California 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 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Marymount International Relations & National Security Report

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