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2022 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

20 Ranked Colleges
773 Degrees Awarded
$19,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” 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 Southwest region, there were 773 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,025 and $30,546 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in international relations and national security. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality international relations and national security programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

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. 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 the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region international relations students with aid.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for International Relations & National Security in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #1 spot on the list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Rice also took the #1 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rice University is $16,999 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 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 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Rice University

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Austin is $18,023 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at UT Austin

#3

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Angelo State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Angelo State University is a fairly large school located in San Angelo, Texas that handed out 63 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Angelo State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Angelo State University is $13,819 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Angelo State

#4

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arizona landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 43 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region international relations students with aid list, University of Arizona has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $15,016 for southwest region international relations students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at University of Arizona

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school handed out 30 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio is $13,853 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

Full UTSA International Relations & National Security Report

The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school awarded 44 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region international relations students with aid list, UTEP has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $8,920 for southwest region international relations students with aid per year to attend The University of Texas at El Paso.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at UTEP

Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 127 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region international relations students with aid list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M College Station is $19,057 for southwest region international relations students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station International Relations & National Security Report

With a ranking of #8, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $11,706 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Arizona State University - Tempe

#9

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas State University is a large school located in San Marcos, Texas that handed out 23 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas State University is $15,230 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Texas State

#10

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend ASU - Skysong is $13,971 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at ASU - Skysong

#10

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, Texas

St. Mary’s University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 27 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Mary’s, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Mary’s is $19,276 for southwest region international relations students with aid.

Full St. Mary’s University International Relations & National Security Report

#11

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

NAU also took the #17 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,915 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend NAU.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at NAU

#12

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is a large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 20 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

UNM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,446 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend UNM.

Full UNM International Relations & National Security Report

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Central Oklahoma is a fairly large school located in Edmond, Oklahoma that handed out 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

UCO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $16,562 for southwest region international relations students with aid per year to attend University of Central Oklahoma.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at University of Central Oklahoma

#14

Austin College

Sherman, Texas

Austin College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Sherman, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Austin College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $21,357 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend Austin College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Austin College

#15

Trinity University

San Antonio, Texas

Trinity University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Trinity U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Trinity U is $24,669 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Trinity University

#16

Howard Payne University

Brownwood, Texas

Howard Payne University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Brownwood, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Howard Payne also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $22,178 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid per year to attend Howard Payne University.

The 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 Howard Payne International Relations & National Security Report

#17

Southwestern University

Georgetown, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Southwestern University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Georgetown, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2019-2020.

Southwestern also made our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Southwestern is $25,470 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Southwestern

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Embry-Riddle Prescott is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Prescott, Arizona. It awarded 106 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Embry-Riddle Prescott, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $35,396 for southwest region international relations students with aid per year to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott.

The 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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott International Relations & National Security Report

#19

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

With a ranking of #19, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Baylor is a fairly large school located in Waco, Texas that handed out 51 ’s international relations degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor also took the #7 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Baylor is $36,039 for Southwest Region International Relations students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, 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 students.

Full Baylor International Relations & National Security Report

#20

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value International Relations Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

TCU also took the #8 spot in our “Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for TCU is $36,811 for southwest region international relations students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, 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 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at TCU

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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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