2026 Best International Relations Master’s Degree Schools

1

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

No school ranked higher than Georgetown University this year for international relations. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 350 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 $88,199 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for Georgetown University

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 652 international relations degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $76,550 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University

3

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 69 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full international relations details for Harvard University

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #4. 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 28 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $76,166 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full international relations program report for Stanford University

5

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at Yale University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 45 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. More information about a degree in international relations from Yale University

6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $60,025 early in their careers. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for international relations this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 17 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $65,681 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

8

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #8 among the best international relations schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 302 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 $70,707 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at George Washington University

9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #9 among the best international relations schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. About 94% of students finish within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 10 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $83,560 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

10

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #10 for international relations this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $75,976 in their early career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for Cornell University

11

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #11 for international relations this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $71,278 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from Duke University

12

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago placed #12 among the best international relations schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 46 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $66,182. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for University Of Chicago

13

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #13 for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 87 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent 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. Get the full international relations details for University Of California San Diego

14

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #14 position for international relations this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 266 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $80,448. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Get the full international relations details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

15

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #15 spot for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 53 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $61,625. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

16

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #16 position for international relations this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 13 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813. Read more about the international relations program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

17

Tufts University
Medford, MA

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. About 195 international relations degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $73,332 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,375. See the full international relations program report for Tufts University

18

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #18 among the best international relations schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 18 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. See the full international relations program report for University Of Maryland College Park

19

American University
Washington, DC

American University placed #19 among the best international relations schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 383 international relations students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $69,872 in their early career. American University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for American University

20

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 23 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $39,275 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations details for University Of Georgia

21

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #21 position for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 86 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $62,266 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031. More information about a degree in international relations from Texas A And M University College Station

22

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University landed the #22 spot for international relations this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 18 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Rice University earn around $82,320 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for Rice University

23

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #23 spot for international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 19 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from George Mason University earn around $73,385 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. See the full international relations program report for George Mason University

24

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #24 for international relations this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 130 international relations degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $59,814 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at New York University

25

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong came in at #25 for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 54 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $68,957. Typical student debt for the program is $23,742. Get the full international relations details for Arizona State University Skysong