2027 Best International Relations Schools in Iowa

International Relations is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 2 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international relations students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

• Best International Relations Schools in Iowa

Best Schools for International Relations in Iowa

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations education in Iowa.

Top Schools in International Relations

1

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

23 International Relations Degrees Awarded

$36,376 Median Starting Salary

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $36,376 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,030 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at University Of Iowa

2

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

16 International Relations Degrees Awarded

$56,228 Median Starting Salary

Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at Drake University, which ranked #2. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drake University awarded about 16 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $56,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. Read more about the international relations program at Drake University

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 2 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.