2023 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $48-$75k) in California
19
Ranked Colleges
1,387
Degrees Awarded
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 14,306 people earned their degree in international relations and national security, making the major the 67th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, international relations and national security graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $41,288 and had an average of $21,455 in loans still to pay off.
Across 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in international relations and national security. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great international relations and national security programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the international relations and national security program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank International Relations & National Security Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $48-$75k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $7,081 for california 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 86%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 more about International Relations & National Security at Stanford University
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pomona College landed the #2 spot on the list. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. 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 $9,365 for California International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Pomona College.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Pomona
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 151 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $14,193 for California International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 UC Davis
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Claremont McKenna College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Claremont McKenna is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 24 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Claremont McKenna, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Claremont McKenna is $15,962 for California International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. 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. 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 Claremont McKenna College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 190 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also took the #2 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USC is $22,826 for California International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 91%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full USC International Relations & National Security Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
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. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $14,310 for California 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 94%. 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 UCSD International Relations & National Security Report
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 85 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,126 for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.
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 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at UCR
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $14,698 for California International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at San Diego State University
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k 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 CSUSB is $9,854 for California International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, 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 85%.
Full California State University - San Bernardino International Relations & National Security Report
Occidental College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Occidental College is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 31 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Oxy not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oxy is $18,209 for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 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
San Francisco State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $16,065 for California International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at San Francisco State University
California State University - Chico landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 16 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also took the #17 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,738 for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at California State University - Chico
With a ranking of #13, University of San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. USD is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 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. The estimated yearly cost for USD is $28,214 for California International Relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of San Diego
University of Redlands came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Redlands, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k list, University of Redlands has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $21,947 for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Redlands.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 more about International Relations & National Security at University of Redlands
Azusa Pacific University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized school located in Azusa, California that handed out 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Azusa Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific University is $28,538 for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Azusa Pacific University
University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 47 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
USFCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of San Francisco is $36,818 for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 more about International Relations & National Security at University of San Francisco
University of La Verne ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. ULV is a medium-sized school located in La Verne, California that handed out 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at ULV
Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Loyola Marymount University is a fairly large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 51 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k list, Loyola Marymount has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Marymount is $37,292 for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Loyola Marymount International Relations & National Security Report
Saint Mary’s College of California landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Moraga, California, and it awarded 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
SMC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SMC is $28,773 for california international relations students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national 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.
Full SMC 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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