2023 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in Pennsylvania (With Aid)
19
Ranked Colleges
535
Degrees Awarded
$28,200
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 Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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 Pennsylvania, there were 535 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,480 and $22,552 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in international relations and national security. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent international relations and national security programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
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.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in Pennsylvania (With Aid)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Pennsylvania is $25,046 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
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. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Pennsylvania International Relations & National Security Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lafayette College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Lafayette is located in Easton, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania international relations students with aid list, Lafayette has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lafayette is $32,926 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Lafayette College
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 50 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Pitt also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Pitt is $27,058 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carnegie Mellon University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carnegie Mellon, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $36,775 for Pennsylvania International Relations students with aid per year to attend Carnegie Mellon.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Carnegie Mellon University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. IUP is a medium-sized school located in Indiana, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
IUP also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $22,828 for Pennsylvania International Relations students with aid per year to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus.
Full IUP International Relations & National Security Report
Albright College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Albright is located in Reading, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Albright, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $19,427 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid per year to attend Albright.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Albright
University of Pittsburgh - Bradford landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Bradford is a small public school situated in Bradford, Pennsylvania. It awarded 6 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Pitt Bradford also took the #19 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,003 for Pennsylvania International Relations students with aid per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Bradford.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.
Full University of Pittsburgh - Bradford International Relations & National Security Report
La Salle University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. La Salle University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at La Salle, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for La Salle is $25,819 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at La Salle University
Allegheny College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Allegheny is a private not-for-profit institution located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Allegheny, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Allegheny is $24,274 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. 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.
Full Allegheny International Relations & National Security Report
York College of Pennsylvania came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in York, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
YCP also took the #18 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $22,233 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid per year to attend York College of Pennsylvania.
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%.
Full YCP International Relations & National Security Report
Susquehanna University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Susquehanna University is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
Susquehanna also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Susquehanna University is $25,396 for Pennsylvania International Relations students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Full Susquehanna University International Relations & National Security Report
Dickinson College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Dickinson is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dickinson, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dickinson College is $32,250 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Dickinson College
Duquesne University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 20 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
Duquesne did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Duquesne is $31,383 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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 86%.
Full Duquesne University International Relations & National Security Report
Wilkes University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wilkes University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Wilkes did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $29,618 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid per year to attend Wilkes.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Wilkes University
Gettysburg College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Gettysburg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 16 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania international relations students with aid list, Gettysburg has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $27,936 for Pennsylvania International Relations students with aid per year to attend Gettysburg.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 more about International Relations & National Security at Gettysburg College
Ursinus College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Collegeville, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
Ursinus also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Ursinus College is $30,206 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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 85%.
Read more about International Relations & National Security at Ursinus
Muhlenberg College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.
Muhlenberg also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Muhlenberg is $29,936 for Pennsylvania International Relations students with aid.
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 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. 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 more about International Relations & National Security at Muhlenberg College
With a ranking of #18, Bucknell University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Bucknell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $43,895 for pennsylvania international relations students with aid per year to attend Bucknell University.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 Bucknell International Relations & National Security Report
Saint Joseph’s University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. St. Joe’s is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 11 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Joe’s also took the #15 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $33,492 for Pennsylvania International Relations students with aid per year to attend Saint Joseph’s University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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 St. Joe’s
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a More Focused Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to RepubFan12.