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2027 Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools

115 Colleges in the United States
6,246 International Relations & National Security Degrees Awarded
$45,160 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Relations & National Security programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international relations & national security programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 115 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international relations & national security students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for International Relations & National Security in the United States

Below are the best international relations & national security schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in International Relations & National Security

1

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations & national security. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $66,182. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Chicago

2
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 285 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $50,588. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Georgetown University

3
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Students looking for a strong international relations & national security program will find one at Brown University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. Brown University awarded about 110 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Brown University earn a median of $46,284 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Brown University

4
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #4 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for international relations & national security. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 79 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $76,166 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Stanford University

5

Johns Hopkins University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 99 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $44,004. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Johns Hopkins University

6
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for international relations & national security this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Pennsylvania

7

Claremont Mckenna College earned the #7 position for international relations & national security this year. Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 29 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Claremont Mckenna College generally make around $66,028. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Claremont Mckenna College

8
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 76 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Yale University

9
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University placed #9 among the best international relations & national security schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Tufts University awarded about 134 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $54,079. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Tufts University

10
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College placed #10 among the best international relations & national security schools. 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. There were roughly 21 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette College in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $58,433 early in their careers. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $16,620 in student loans. See the full international relations & national security program report for Lafayette College

11

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #11 for international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 124 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $46,870 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,672. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Virginia Main Campus

12
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University came in at #12 for international relations & national security this year. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 35 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data 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. See the full international relations & national security program report for Colgate University

13

University Of Southern California placed #13 among 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. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 128 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Southern California earn around $52,262 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,765 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Southern California

14

College Of William And Mary earned the #14 position for international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. 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. See the full international relations & national security program report for College Of William And Mary

15

George Washington University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 426 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $52,933 early in their careers. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from George Washington University

16
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College landed the #16 spot for international relations & national security this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Middlebury. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $68,344 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Middlebury College

17

University Of California Davis came in at #17 for international relations & national security this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 115 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of California Davis earn around $34,949 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,416. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of California Davis

18
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Wellesley College earn around $48,902 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,075. Get the full international relations & national security details for Wellesley College

19
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #19 spot for international relations & national security this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 41 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $44,667 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,460 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations & national security details for James Madison University

20

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Carnegie Mellon University

21

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #21 spot for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 26 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $50,563. Typical student debt for the program is $12,184. Get the full international relations & national security details for Brigham Young University Provo

22

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #22 among the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $83,560 in their early career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

23

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. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $68,368 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of California San Diego

24
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #24 among the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 78 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from New York University generally make around $59,814. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. See the full international relations & national security program report for New York University

25
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College earned the #25 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Pomona College graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Pomona College earn around $75,954 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full international relations & national security details for Pomona College

Rest of the Top 50 International Relations & National Security Schools

These schools also placed among the best for international relations & national security this year:

26
27
28
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
29
30
31
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
32
33
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
34
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN
35
36
37
Occidental College crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA
38
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY
39
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
40
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA
41
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
42
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
43
44
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
45
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
46
Excelsior College crest
Excelsior College
Albany, NY
47
48
49
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
50

Other International Relations & National Security Degree Levels

Explore the best international relations & national security schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in International Relations & National Security
Master's Degrees in International Relations & National Security

View All International Relations & National Security Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 115 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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