International Relations & National Security degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 153 schools to find the best for international relations & national security students.
Choosing a Great International Relations & National Security School
Where you study international relations & national security matters for your future. To help, we created our Best International Relations & National Security Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
International Relations & National Security Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best International Relations & National Security Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations & national security. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 597 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $69,394. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Georgetown University
Brown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 110 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $46,284 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #3. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 131 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 107 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $76,166 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for international relations & national security. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 36 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,559. Typical student debt for the program is $10,470.
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Claremont Mckenna College came in at #6 for international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 29 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Claremont Mckenna College earn a median of $66,028 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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Lafayette College came in at #7 for international relations & national security this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lafayette College awarded about 21 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Lafayette College earn around $58,433 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,620.
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University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 23 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans.
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Yale University earned the #9 position for international relations & national security this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 117 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $74,578 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 131 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $46,870 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,672 in student loans.
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Colgate University came in at #11 for international relations & national security this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 35 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Colgate University earn around $52,924 in the first couple years of their career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans.
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Auburn University earned the #12 position for international relations & national security this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 17 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree.
See the full international relations & national security program report for Auburn University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #13 for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 872 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $60,277 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #14 spot for international relations & national security this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $60,025 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
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University Of Chicago ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 121 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $66,182 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
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University Of Southern California ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 135 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $52,262 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $13,765 in student loans.
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Cornell University earned the #17 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cornell University awarded about 16 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005.
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Tufts University came in at #18 for international relations & national security this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 278 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $63,706 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,375.
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George Washington University came in at #19 for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 720 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from George Washington University earn around $61,820 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
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College Of William And Mary ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. About 87 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $47,270 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
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Duke University earned the #21 position for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duke University awarded about 57 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $71,278. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
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Middlebury College landed the #22 spot for international relations & national security this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Middlebury College awarded about 51 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $68,770 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,948.
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University Of California San Diego placed #23 among the best international relations & national security schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 108 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $68,368. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans.
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University Of California Davis placed #24 among the best international relations & national security schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 115 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $34,949 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,416 to complete this degree.
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University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #25 spot for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 15 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 International Relations & National Security Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s international relations & national security ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 153 schools evaluated.
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).
