2027 Best International Relations Schools in District of Columbia
International Relations is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international relations programs.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best international relations schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for International Relations in District of Columbia
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 tops our 2027 ranking of the best international relations schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 597 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $69,394. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations from Georgetown University
George Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 720 international relations students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $61,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
More information about a degree in international relations from George Washington University
American University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best international relations schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 686 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $58,712 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international relations from American University
More International Relations Rankings
View All International Relations Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 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.