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2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

83 Ranked Colleges
4,553 Degrees Awarded
$39,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master's 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. College Factual has developed its “Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 14,762 people earned their degree in international relations and national security, making the major the 65th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, international relations and national security graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $38,051 and had an average of $28,099 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 4,553 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 83 colleges that offer a degree in international relations and national security. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent international relations and national security programs, but they also 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 and national security program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Duke is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 41 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Duke International Relations & National Security Report

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 23 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #5 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford International Relations & National Security Report

#3

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Harvard University is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 51 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Harvard International Relations & National Security Report

#4

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s international relations degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Yale did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#5

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Johns Hopkins University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Johns Hopkins is a large school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 609 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425.

Full Johns Hopkins University International Relations & National Security Report

#6

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Rice University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 23 degrees to qualified masters’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

Rice also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913.

Full Rice International Relations & National Security Report

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 194 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York International Relations & National Security Report

#8

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, WUSTL has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Washington University in St Louis

#9

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 66 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at UChicago

#10

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #10, Tufts University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tufts is a fairly large school located in Medford, Massachusetts that handed out 229 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Tufts also took the #2 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tufts University are $55,168, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Tufts

#11

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Georgetown University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 301 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Georgetown

#12

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at University of Wisconsin - Madison

With a ranking of #14, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294.

Full UW Seattle International Relations & National Security Report

#15

Baruch College

New York, New York

Baruch College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified masters’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Baruch College are $20,880, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Baruch

#16

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#20 in overall quality

Northeastern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s international relations degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern also took the #20 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Northeastern

John Jay College of Criminal Justice did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. John Jay is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 11 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at John Jay are $20,962.

Full John Jay International Relations & National Security Report

#18

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New York, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s international relations degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The City College of New York are $20,832.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at CCNY

University of California - San Diego landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 109 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSD International Relations & National Security Report

#20

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 36 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Florida State

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified masters’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

Georgia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus are $31,334, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus International Relations & National Security Report

Florida International University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Florida International University is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 8 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211.

Full Florida International University International Relations & National Security Report

#23

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#15 in overall quality

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon University are $47,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Carnegie Mellon

#24

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #24, George Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. George Washington University is a large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 343 masters’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

GWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Washington University are $31,824, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at George Washington University

#25

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

With a ranking of #25, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at IU Bloomington

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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

Footnotes

  • *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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to RepubFan12.

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