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Francis Marion University offers South Carolina's most affordable International Relations and National Security Studies program at $13,451 net cost, making it $11,000 less expensive than the state's priciest option at Wofford College. This significant cost gap reflects the advantage of public university pricing for students preparing for careers in government service or defense contracting. South Carolina's growing aerospace sector, anchored by Boeing's Charleston operations, creates regional demand for graduates trained in national security analysis and international policy frameworks.
5
Programs
$13,451 – $28,984
Net Price Range
$38,289
Avg. Program Earnings
63.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 International Relations and National Security Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $13,451 $11,160 42.7% 82.9%
2 $17,529 $23,400 69.6%
3 $20,351 $30,050 44.4% 75.3%
4 $24,532 $12,688 77.7% 64.1%
5 $28,984 $54,100 80.8% 60.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $15,533 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Francis Marion University's public status allows it to offer net costs of $13,451 compared to Wofford College's private tuition structure at $28,984. Public universities receive state funding that subsidizes education costs, while private institutions rely primarily on tuition revenue and endowment income.

How do graduation rates vary across these International Relations programs?

Graduation rates span from Francis Marion's 42.70% to Wofford's 80.80%, a 38-point gap that correlates with institutional resources and student selectivity. Bob Jones University achieves a solid 69.60% rate despite moderate costs, while USC Columbia reaches 77.70% with strong state university support.

Does the LIFE Scholarship impact costs for South Carolina residents?

The LIFE Scholarship provides up to $5,000 annually for qualifying in-state students, potentially reducing Francis Marion's already low $11,160 in-state tuition to around $6,160. This state merit aid makes public options even more attractive for International Relations students planning government careers with modest starting salaries.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.