2023 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
19
Ranked Colleges
410
Degrees Awarded
$16,400
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
International Relations & National Security is the 67th most popular major in the country with 14,306 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in international relations and national security. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality international relations and national security programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 5 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, WUSTL has also earned the #1 rank 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 $2,446 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at WUSTL
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 38 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Carleton has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,410 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Carleton.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 0.8%, 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.
Full Carleton College International Relations & National Security Report
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 $30-$48k. 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 $8,609 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. 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 UMN Twin Cities
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s 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. It costs about $8,697 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Duluth.
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 more about International Relations & National Security at UMN Duluth
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.
Iowa also took the #5 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $15,508 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Iowa
Saint Cloud State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. St. 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. It costs about $10,825 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 St. Cloud State University International Relations & National Security Report
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 13 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,263 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.
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%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Minnesota State Mankato
Webster University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.
Webster also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $20,039 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Webster.
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%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Webster University
Kansas State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 10 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $14,653 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, 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%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Kansas State University
Lindenwood University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lindenwood University has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,008 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lindenwood University.
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 & National Security at Lindenwood University
With a ranking of #11, Bellevue University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bellevue, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Bellevue University also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $17,911 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bellevue University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Bellevue University
Loras College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Loras is a small school located in Dubuque, Iowa that handed out 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. The estimated yearly cost for Loras College is $19,374 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.
Full Loras International Relations & National Security Report
Saint Louis University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students 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 $16,755 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SLU.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Saint Louis University
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bethel University Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
Bethel University Minnesota not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $21,256 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bethel University Minnesota.
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 85%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Bethel University Minnesota
Drake University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Drake is a private not-for-profit institution located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Drake did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $25,332 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Drake.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Drake University
With a ranking of #16, Augsburg University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Augsburg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Augsburg also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Augsburg University is $20,943 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Augsburg
Cornell College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mount Vernon, Iowa. It awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cornell College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell College is $17,628 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cornell College International Relations & National Security Report
With a ranking of #18, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UST MN is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 5 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UST MN, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $27,782 for plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of St Thomas Minnesota.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of St Thomas Minnesota International Relations & National Security Report
Creighton University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Creighton is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region international relations students whose families make $30-$48k list, Creighton has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Creighton is $24,655 for Plains States Region International Relations students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full Creighton University 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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