by our College Data Analytics TeamA 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.
In 2021-2022, international relations & national security was the 67th most popular major nationwide with 13,958 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best International Relations & National Security Schools ranking analyzes 163 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for international relations & national security students. Explore this or one of our many other custom international relations rankings further below.
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.
international relations & national security degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic international relations & national security program qualifications, to serve in some international relations careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
International Relations degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in international relations & national security to something that takes less time like a . Different international relations & national security degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to international relations, with approximately 43.5% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to international relations tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 40.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 29.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 1.7% |
92.8% of international relations workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in international relations & national security have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which international relations career you choose.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your international relations degree? International Relations & National Security careers are expected to grow 8.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international relations & national security.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Political Science Professors | 23,400 | 10.4% |
| Political Scientists | 7,500 | 2.7% |
International Relations & National Security graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $51,080 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $20,547 to as high as $88,199. As you might expect, salaries for international relations graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for international relations & national security graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers international relations grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Political Scientists | $115,300 |
| Political Science Professors | $99,480 |
With over 818 different international relations degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased international relations school rankings to help you with this.
One of 13 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, International Relations & National Security has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Relations | 12,541 |
| International Security | 775 |
| Other International Relations & National Security Studies | 642 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 47,809 |
| Political Science & Government | 47,686 |
| Sociology | 35,816 |
| General Social Sciences | 17,338 |
| Anthropology | 11,105 |
