2026 Best International Relations Schools in Illinois
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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international relations students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for International Relations in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations education in Illinois.
Top Schools in International Relations
No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for international relations. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 156 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $66,182 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
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A rank of #2 makes Wheaton College Illinois one of the top schools for international relations. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. About 85% of students finish within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 18 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $40,084. Typical student debt for the program is $23,875.
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Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #3. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $32,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Depaul University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 38 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. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 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.
