2027 Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region
International Relations programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best international relations schools.
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Best Schools for International Relations in the Great Lakes Region
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.
Top Schools in International Relations
Our analysis ranked University Of Chicago the best school in the country for a degree in international relations. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 121 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Chicago earn around $66,182 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
Get the full international relations details for University Of Chicago
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 13 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #3. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 90 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $38,584. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations from Ohio State University Main Campus
A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the top schools for international relations. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 76 international relations degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $38,810 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,766.
See the full international relations program report for Michigan State University
Marquette University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 18 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $43,290 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750.
Read more about the international relations program at Marquette University
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 88 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $56,110. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250.
Get the full international relations details for Indiana University Bloomington
Butler University earned the #7 position for international relations this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 international relations degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations from Butler University
Miami University Oxford landed the #8 spot for international relations this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $38,766. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $21,977 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations from Miami University Oxford
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for international relations this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 16 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $32,543. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #10 position for international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 25 international relations degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $40,084 in the first couple years of their career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations from Wheaton College Illinois
Depaul University earned the #11 position for international relations this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 50 international relations degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $41,610 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans.
See the full international relations program report for Depaul University
Grand Valley State University placed #12 among the best international relations schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 19 international relations degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $28,202 early in their careers. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at Grand Valley State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.