by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 366 U.S. colleges awarded 12,780 degrees and certificates in International Relations & National Security. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 59% of graduates. College Factual ranks 153 schools in its 2027 Best International Relations & National Security Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $51,873 one year after completing, rising to $79,106 after four years.
A major in International Relations and National Security trains students to evaluate and analyze national defense policy and international relations. Studies focus on the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy, international politics, applications of diplomacy, military power, and intelligence in relation to national defense. Students are prepared to promote regional stability and how to take action in a crisis.
Some of the classes that you will take in this major are history, public policy analysis, homeland security, threat scenarios, foreign policy analysis, international law and organization, international relations theory, and leadership.
A degree in International Relations & National Security covers International Relations And National Security Studies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, international relations & national security is a popular field of study, with 12,780 degrees awarded annually. 366 colleges award international relations & national security degrees, an average of 35 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 887.
By level, the 12,780 awards include 21 certificates, 20 associate degrees, 7,543 bachelor’s degrees, 5,096 master’s degrees and 100 doctorates.
Women earned 56% of international relations & national security degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,193 of 12,780). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,194) and Hispanic or Latino (1,935), and international students earned 1,889.
College Factual ranks 153 schools in its 2027 Best International Relations & National Security Schools ranking, including 115 for bachelor’s degrees, 66 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks international relations & national security schools within 43 states. In all, 366 colleges offer international relations & national security programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Relations & National Security Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international relations & national security credential is the bachelor’s degree: 7,543 of the 12,780 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international relations & national security call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Law and Government and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
This career requires sharp analytical and reasoning skills as you evaluate aspects of national defense and international relations policy. Professionals will need to keep calm in tense situations and carefully communicate details to superiors, co-workers and the general public. Develop organizational and time management skills while in college in order to balance lectures, reading, writing, and staying up to date with current events.
Innovative and creative thinking will help you propose solutions to issues, based in theories and policies learned in the classroom. You will be asked to put theory into practice as you develop methods of keeping America safe.
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How long an international relations & national security degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 21 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 20 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,543 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5,096 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 100 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international relations & national security, at 58.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 58.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.8% |
| Master’s degree | 5.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to International Relations & National Security, with an average median salary of $109,583; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Political Theory Professor, Instructor, Government Instructor and Assistant Professor.
A major in International Relationships and National Security will open many doors for you. Graduates find positions working all over the world affecting national and global political, economic, cultural, and social systems. You can translate your skills to become a Foreign Service officer or work for a government agency or work in a civil service position. Graduates also find work in the military or in homeland security, as well as in transnational business, congress or the United Nations.
The occupation related to international relations & national security with the most projected jobs is Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,638,816.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
International Relations & National Security graduates earn a median $51,873 one year after completing their program, $79,106 after four years and $78,223 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $51,873 |
| 4 years | $79,106 |
| 5 years | $78,223 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to international relations & national security is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
International Relations & National Security includes 3 concentrations that together award 12,780 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are International Relations and Affairs (11,301), National Security Policy Studies (841) and International Relations and National Security Studies, Other (638). It has 13 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 175,416 degrees a year; the largest are Economics (48,196), Political Science and Government (45,425) and Sociology (30,816). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Relations and Affairs | 11,301 |
| National Security Policy Studies | 841 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies, Other | 638 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 48,196 |
| Political Science and Government | 45,425 |
| Sociology | 30,816 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,558 |
| Criminology | 10,920 |
| Anthropology | 10,836 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,459 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,820 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,300 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 574 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
