International Relations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international relations programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 138 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international relations students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for international relations can shape your career. That is why we built our Best International Relations Schools rankings. For our Best Overall International Relations School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best International Relations Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for International Relations in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the international relations degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the best school in the country for a degree in international relations. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 597 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $69,394 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international relations program at Georgetown University
A rank of #2 makes Brown University one of the top schools for international relations. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brown University awarded about 110 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Brown University earn around $46,284 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
See the full international relations program report for Brown University
Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at Harvard University, which ranked #3. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 112 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Read more about the international relations program at Harvard University
A rank of #4 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for international relations. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 107 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $76,166. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at Stanford University
University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,559. Typical student debt for the program is $10,470.
See the full international relations program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Claremont Mckenna College landed the #6 spot for international relations this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Claremont Mckenna College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 29 international relations degrees were awarded at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Claremont Mckenna College generally make around $66,028. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
See the full international relations program report for Claremont Mckenna College
Lafayette College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Lafayette College awarded about 21 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $58,433 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,620 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international relations from Lafayette College
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #8 position for international relations this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 23 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete this degree.
See the full international relations program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Yale University came in at #9 for international relations this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 117 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
Get the full international relations details for Yale University
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 131 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $46,870. Students borrow a median of $20,672 to complete this degree.
Get the full international relations details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Colgate University placed #11 among the best international relations schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 35 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $52,924 in their early career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans.
See the full international relations program report for Colgate University
Johns Hopkins University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 822 international relations degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $60,277. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
See the full international relations program report for Johns Hopkins University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #13 position for international relations this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $60,025 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree.
See the full international relations program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Chicago placed #14 among the best international relations schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 121 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Chicago earn around $66,182 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international relations program at University Of Chicago
University Of Southern California landed the #15 spot for international relations this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 135 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Southern California earn around $52,262 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,765.
Get the full international relations details for University Of Southern California
Cornell University placed #16 among the best international relations schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 16 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005.
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Tufts University placed #17 among the best international relations schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tufts University awarded about 278 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Tufts University earn around $63,706 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,375.
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George Washington University landed the #18 spot for international relations this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 720 international relations students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from George Washington University earn around $61,820 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
See the full international relations program report for George Washington University
College Of William And Mary earned the #19 position for international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 87 international relations degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $47,270 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
More information about a degree in international relations from College Of William And Mary
Duke University earned the #20 position for international relations this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 37 international relations degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $71,278. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
More information about a degree in international relations from Duke University
Middlebury College earned the #21 position for international relations this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. Middlebury College awarded about 45 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $68,770 in their early career. Middlebury College graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego landed the #22 spot for international relations this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 108 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $68,368 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at University Of California San Diego
University Of California Davis earned the #23 position for international relations 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. About 115 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations 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 program report for University Of California Davis
Wellesley College landed the #24 spot for international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Wellesley College awarded about 11 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Wellesley College earn around $48,902 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete this degree.
See the full international relations program report for Wellesley College
James Madison University came in at #25 for international relations this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 41 international relations degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $44,667. Typical student debt for the program is $18,460.
Get the full international relations details for James Madison University
Rest of the Top 50 International Relations Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s international relations ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 138 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
