2027 Best International Relations Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best international relations schools.
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Best Schools for International Relations in the Middle Atlantic 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
Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 597 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $69,394. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
Read more about the international relations program at Georgetown University
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 36 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $65,559 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,470.
See the full international relations program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Lafayette College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #3. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. About 88% of students finish within six years. Lafayette College awarded about 21 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $58,433 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,620.
More information about a degree in international relations from Lafayette College
Colgate University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #4. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international relations from Colgate University
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 822 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $60,277. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #6 spot for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 31 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $60,025 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
Read more about the international relations program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Cornell University landed the #7 spot for international relations this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005.
See the full international relations program report for Cornell University
George Washington University placed #8 among the best international relations schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 720 international relations degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $61,820 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 190 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $80,448 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
More information about a degree in international relations from Columbia University In The City Of New York
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #10 for international relations this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international relations from Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #11 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 26 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $57,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
See the full international relations program report for University Of Maryland College Park
American University came in at #12 for international relations this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. American University awarded about 686 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from American University generally make around $58,712. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international relations from American University
New York University came in at #13 for international relations this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 186 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of New York University earn a median of $59,814 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
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Hamilton College came in at #14 for international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Hamilton College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $45,332 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
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Bucknell University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lewisburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 16 international relations degrees were awarded at Bucknell University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $77,312 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,951.
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Lehigh University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lehigh University awarded about 26 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $36,147 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree.
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Fordham University came in at #17 for international relations this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 110 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $53,681. Typical student debt for the program is $25,843.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #18 for international relations this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 97 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,858 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international relations program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #19 spot for international relations this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 16 international relations degrees were awarded at Long Island University C W Post Campus in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $61,547 early in their careers. Long Island University C W Post Campus graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at Long Island University C W Post Campus
Suny At Albany ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. Suny At Albany graduates 61% of students within six years. Suny At Albany awarded about 13 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Suny At Albany earn around $44,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
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Syracuse University landed the #21 spot for international relations this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 145 international relations degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $62,805 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,443 to complete this degree.
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University Of Rochester landed the #22 spot for international relations this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 14 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750.
See the full international relations program report for University Of Rochester
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #23 position for international relations this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College awarded about 27 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $67,588. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans.
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Vassar College came in at #24 for international relations this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 19 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $31,956 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,232.
See the full international relations program report for Vassar College
University Of Delaware earned the #25 position for international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 28 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $38,250 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the international relations program at University Of Delaware
Rest of the Top 36 International Relations Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong international relations education:
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Notes and References
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 · 36 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.