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2023 Most Well Attended International Relations Major

411 Ranked Colleges
13,117 Degrees Awarded
$37,700 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended International Relations Major

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended International Relations Major” ranking.

International Relations is the 63rd most popular major in the country with 13,117 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended International Relations Major” ranking, we looked at 411 colleges that offer a degree in international relations. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular international relations programs in the United States.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank International Relations Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More International Relations Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Most Well Attended International Relations Major” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Most Well Attended International Relations Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for international relations students.

1
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

Out of the 411 schools in the Most Well Attended International Relations Major that were part of this year’s ranking, George Washington University landed the #1 spot on the list. George Washington University is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 948 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read more about International Relations at GWU

2
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 700 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full American University International Relations Report

3
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Johns Hopkins University. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended International Relations Major. Johns Hopkins is a large school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 686 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Johns Hopkins International Relations Report

4
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Georgetown University. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended International Relations Major. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 572 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Georgetown University International Relations Report

5
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tufts University. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended International Relations Major. Tufts University is located in Medford, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 478 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Tufts University

6
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 341 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full Florida State University International Relations Report

7

Florida International University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 317 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Florida International University

8
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 286 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about International Relations at University of Georgia

9
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 271 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations at Boston University

10
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 208 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations at University of Virginia - Main Campus

11
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. George Mason University is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 199 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full GMU International Relations Report

12
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 190 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations at University of Southern California

13
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

New York University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. NYU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 182 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on International Relations at New York University

14

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 176 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Ohio State International Relations Report

15
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. DU is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 175 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Denver International Relations Report

16
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. Syracuse, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations at Syracuse University

17
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #17 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 157 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Virginia Tech International Relations Report

17

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 156 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Columbia International Relations Report

19

University of California - Davis came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 151 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Davis International Relations Report

20
Seton Hall crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, New Jersey

With a ranking of #20, Seton Hall University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution located in South Orange, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 120 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Seton Hall

21
Fordham U crest
Fordham University
Bronx, New York

Fordham University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. Located in Bronx, New York, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 122 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on International Relations at Fordham U

22

With a ranking of #22, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 113 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations at Indiana University - Bloomington

23

University of California - San Diego came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 108 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCSD International Relations Report

24
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Relations Major list. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 106 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Relations at Michigan State University

25
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Relations Major ranking. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 103 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on International Relations at Liberty University

Rest of the Best 50 in Most Well Attended International Relations Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
29
30
30
32
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia
32
Northeastern crest
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts
34
35
Norwich crest
Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont
36
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California
36
TROY crest
Troy University
Troy, Alabama
38
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia
39
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
40
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida
41
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California
42
42
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
44
Tulane crest
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
45
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia
45
45
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
48
UD crest
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware
49
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
50
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended International Relations Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA
52University of Nevada - RenoReno, NV
53Webster UniversitySaint Louis, MO
53SUNY GeneseoGeneseo, NY
55Middlebury Institute of International Studies at MontereyMonterey, CA
55University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
57University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA
57United States Military AcademyWest Point, NY
59University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR
60University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA
61Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA
62Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL
62University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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