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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

43 Ranked Colleges
1,120 Degrees Awarded
$31,191 Avg Salary
Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

International Relations & National Security is the 65th most popular major in the country with 14,762 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,340 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,821 and $24,013 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,120 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 43 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.

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 Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 37 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $6,452 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 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 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern University International Relations & National Security Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $7,934 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The 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. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 University of Chicago

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 178 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #6 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $13,982 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, 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 students.

Full Ohio State International Relations & National Security Report

#4

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 100 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #8 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $12,060 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, 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 91%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Indiana University - Bloomington

#5

Beloit College

Beloit, Wisconsin

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Beloit College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This small school is located in Beloit, Wisconsin, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Beloit also took the #18 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Beloit is $10,769 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Beloit International Relations & National Security Report

#6

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 34 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $19,691 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive 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. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wheaton College Illinois International Relations & National Security Report

#7

Denison University

Granville, Ohio

Denison University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Granville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Denison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Denison is $22,652 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 & National Security at Denison

#8

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Grand Valley State University is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $15,775 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low 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%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at GVSU

#9

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Saint Xavier University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,907 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Full SXU International Relations & National Security Report

With a ranking of #10, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k list, IUPUI has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,314 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#11

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #11, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 116 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k list, Michigan State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,696 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan State.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan State International Relations & National Security Report

#12

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $10,387 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Oakland

#13

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Evansville, Indiana, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

USI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USI is $14,686 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, 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 Southern Indiana

#14

Aquinas College Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aquinas College Michigan did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Aquinas College Michigan is $17,715 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Aquinas College Michigan

#15

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 7 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k list, Knox has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,653 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Knox.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The 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 & National Security at Knox

#16

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 25 degrees to qualified bachelors’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $14,591 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Central Michigan University International Relations & National Security Report

#17

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Lake Forest is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 11 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest is $24,683 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lake Forest College International Relations & National Security Report

#18

Walsh University

North Canton, Ohio

With a ranking of #18, Walsh University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Walsh is a small private not-for-profit school situated in North Canton, Ohio. It awarded 2 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Walsh is $15,201 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low 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 Walsh University

Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Miami University - Oxford is located in Oxford, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 121 bachelors’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $23,232 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 & National Security Report

#20

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 17 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,042 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Eastern Michigan.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Eastern Michigan

#21

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Dominican University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k list, Dominican U has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $18,582 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive 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.

Full Dominican University International Relations & National Security Report

#22

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,753 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northern Michigan University.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Northern Michigan University

#23

Wittenberg University

Springfield, Ohio

Wittenberg University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Springfield, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified bachelors’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Wittenberg University is $21,048 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Wittenberg

Kent State University at Kent ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $19,299 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kent State University at Kent.

Full Kent State International Relations & National Security Report

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree international relations students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $20,312 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

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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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