by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 42 U.S. colleges awarded 841 degrees and certificates in International Security. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 77% of graduates. College Factual ranks 20 schools in its 2027 Best International Security Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $51,873 one year after completing, rising to $79,106 after four years.
A major in International Security explores National Security Policy Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Theory And Application Of Intelligence, Diplomacy, Military Power, And Related Tools Of Statecraft To National Defense Policy Formulation And Power Projection. Includes Instruction In History, Political Theory, Public Policy Analysis, Civil-Military Relations, Military And Defense Studies, Homeland Security, Leadership, Threat Scenarios, Regional And Local Issues, Alliance And Coalition Issues, Defense Budgeting And Economics, Intelligence, And Strategy. Examples: [National Security Studies], [Strategic Studies].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, international security is a widely-pursued major, with 841 degrees awarded annually. 42 colleges award international security degrees, an average of 20 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 104.
By level, the 841 awards include 194 bachelor’s degrees and 647 master’s degrees.
Women earned 28% of international security degrees and certificates in the latest year (238 of 841). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (513) and Hispanic or Latino (146), and international students earned 48.
College Factual ranks 20 schools in its 2027 Best International Security Schools ranking, including 12 for bachelor’s degrees and 14 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international security schools within 13 states. In all, 42 colleges offer international security programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Security Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international security credential is the master’s degree: 647 of the 841 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international security call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Law and Government and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an international security degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 194 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 647 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international security, at 58.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 58.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.8% |
| Master’s degree | 5.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to International Security, with an average median salary of $109,583; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Faculty Member, University Faculty Member, Professor and International Relations Teacher.
The occupation related to international security with the most projected jobs is Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,638,816.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
International Security graduates earn a median $51,873 one year after completing their program, $79,106 after four years and $78,223 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $51,873 |
| 4 years | $79,106 |
| 5 years | $78,223 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to international security is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
International Security has 2 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 11,939 degrees a year; the largest are International Relations and Affairs (11,301) and International Relations and National Security Studies, Other (638). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Relations and Affairs | 11,301 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies, Other | 638 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
