by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 330 U.S. colleges awarded 11,301 degrees and certificates in International Relations. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 138 schools in its 2027 Best International Relations 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 degree in International Relations covers International Relations And Affairs. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of International Politics And Institutions, And The Conduct Of Diplomacy And Foreign Policy. Includes Instruction In International Relations Theory, Foreign Policy Analysis, International Law And Organization, The Comparative Study Of Specific Countries And Regions, And The Theory And Practice Of Diplomacy. Examples: [International Relations], [International Affairs], [Foreign Policy And Diplomacy], [International Relations And Affairs-Economics], [International Relations And Affairs-History], [International Relations And Affairs-Political Science].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, international relations is a popular field of study, with 11,301 degrees awarded annually. 330 colleges award international relations degrees, an average of 34 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 837.
By level, the 11,301 awards include 21 certificates, 20 associate degrees, 7,224 bachelor’s degrees, 3,952 master’s degrees and 84 doctorates.
Women earned 60% of international relations degrees and certificates in the latest year (6,726 of 11,301). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,302) and Hispanic or Latino (1,698), and international students earned 1,804.
College Factual ranks 138 schools in its 2027 Best International Relations Schools ranking, including 106 for bachelor’s degrees and 53 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international relations schools within 41 states. In all, 330 colleges offer international relations programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Relations Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international relations credential is the bachelor’s degree: 7,224 of the 11,301 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international relations 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an international relations degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 21 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 20 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,224 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,952 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 84 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international relations, 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, 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 Instructor, College Professor, Public Policy Professor and Political Science Adjunct Professor.
The occupation related to international relations 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 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 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 has 2 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 1,479 degrees a year; the largest are National Security Policy Studies (841) and International Relations and National Security Studies, Other (638). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| National Security Policy Studies | 841 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies, Other | 638 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
