2026 Best International Relations Schools in the The Plains States Region
International Relations is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international relations schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for International Relations in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Carleton College, our #1 school for international relations. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carleton College awarded about 38 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Carleton College graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans.
Get the full international relations details for Carleton College
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #2. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $28,596. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,167 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #3. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 10 international relations degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273.
Read more about the international relations program at Drake University
University Of Iowa came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Iowa awarded about 24 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Iowa earn around $36,376 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,030 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at Webster University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Webster University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Webster University earn around $66,017 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete this degree.
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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 · 31 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.