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2023 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

37 Ranked Colleges
1,355 Degrees Awarded
$20,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

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 Great Lakes region, there were 1,355 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,297 and $22,820 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 37 colleges that offered 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the international relations and national security program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The international relations school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 42 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $15,686 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate 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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern International Relations & National Security Report

2
UChicago crest
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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 162 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $19,895 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate 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. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Chicago International Relations & National Security Report

3
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Beloit College landed the #3 spot on the list. Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Beloit, Wisconsin. It awarded 13 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Beloit also took the #12 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Beloit College is $12,822 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Beloit

4
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 124 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $20,234 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

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

5

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 176 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $21,575 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 more about International Relations & National Security at Ohio State University - Main Campus

6
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #6, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Oakland is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $16,142 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 Oakland

7
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

USI also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern Indiana is $17,626 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 full report on International Relations & National Security at University of Southern Indiana

8
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,746 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 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.

Full Wheaton College Illinois International Relations & National Security Report

9

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $17,844 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 IUPUI

10

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 20 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $22,377 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UW - Madison International Relations & National Security Report

11
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 36 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $19,603 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at GVSU

12
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Central Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 22 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $18,135 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Central Michigan

13

Wright State University - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

Wright State University - Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wright State University - Main Campus is $19,004 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Wright State University - Main Campus

14
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

With a ranking of #14, Denison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Granville, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

Denison also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $27,279 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Denison University.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Denison

15

Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large school located in Oxford, Ohio that handed out 91 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $26,704 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. 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 Miami University - Oxford

16
Walsh crest
Walsh University
North Canton, Ohio

Walsh University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in North Canton, Ohio, and it awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,501 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Walsh.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

17
Indiana University - Southeast crest
Indiana University - Southeast
New Albany, Indiana

Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. Indiana University - Southeast is a small school located in New Albany, Indiana that handed out 7 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Southeast is $15,908 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Indiana University - Southeast International Relations & National Security Report

18
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Michigan State is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 106 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k list, Michigan State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $25,297 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Michigan State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Michigan State University International Relations & National Security Report

19
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Eastern Michigan is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $18,563 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

20
Dominican U crest
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k list, Dominican U has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $21,380 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Dominican University International Relations & National Security Report

21

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 7 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Akron Main Campus, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $20,778 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

22

With a ranking of #22, Cleveland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State University is $21,036 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

23
Wittenberg crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio

Wittenberg University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Ohio, and it awarded 7 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k list, Wittenberg has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $21,336 for Great Lakes Region International Relations students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Wittenberg.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Wittenberg University

24

With a ranking of #24, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school handed out 42 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

UC also took the #17 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $24,534 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UC International Relations & National Security Report

25

Kent State University at Kent landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Kent State is $21,662 for great lakes region international relations students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Kent State University at Kent International Relations & National Security Report

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