2026 Best International Relations Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for international relations. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 87 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $76,166. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full international relations program report for Stanford University

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 127 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $52,262 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $13,765 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for University Of Southern California

3

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Claremont Mckenna College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 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. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from Claremont Mckenna College

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. 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. University Of California San Diego awarded about 93 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $68,368 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at University Of California San Diego

5

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #5. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 94 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $34,949 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $12,416 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for University Of California Davis

6

Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University placed #6 among the best international relations schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 14 international relations degrees were awarded at Claremont Graduate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Claremont Graduate University earn around $68,239 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the international relations program at Claremont Graduate University

7

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College landed the #7 spot for international relations this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 81% of students finish within six years. Occidental College awarded about 26 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Occidental College earn around $35,231 in the first couple years of their career. Occidental College graduates carry a median of $19,275 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for Occidental College

8

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego placed #8 among the best international relations schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 48 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of San Diego earn around $50,948 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations details for University Of San Diego

9

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #9 position for international relations this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 56 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $27,021 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $18,914 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at University Of California Riverside

10

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University earned the #10 position for international relations this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 37 international relations degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $34,575. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Loyola Marymount University

11

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $36,669 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,508. Read more about the international relations program at University Of San Francisco

12

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 44 international relations degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $31,254 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from San Francisco State University

13

Monterey Institute Of International Studies
Monterey, CA

Monterey Institute Of International Studies ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Monterey Institute Of International Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monterey. Monterey Institute Of International Studies awarded about 48 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Monterey Institute Of International Studies generally make around $68,770. Get the full international relations details for Monterey Institute Of International Studies