International Security programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best international security schools.
The school you choose for international security can shape your career. That is why we built our Best International Security Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best International Security Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 school for international security. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 19 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international security program make about $95,207 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Read more about the international security program at Harvard University
Auburn University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international security, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 international security students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international security program at Auburn University
Students looking for a strong international security program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #3. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 50 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $60,277 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international security program at Johns Hopkins University
Students looking for a strong international security program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 international security students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international security program make about $71,278 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
See the full international security program report for Duke University
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for international security. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 15 international security degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. International Security graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
Get the full international security details for University Of Missouri Columbia
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #6 for international security this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 21 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $62,296. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international security program at Texas A And M University College Station
San Diego State University came in at #7 for international security this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 25 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $49,617. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $17,134 in student loans.
Get the full international security details for San Diego State University
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #8 among the best international security schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 41 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn around $67,146 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete this degree.
See the full international security program report for University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Excelsior College came in at #9 for international security this year. Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany. About 17 international security degrees were awarded at Excelsior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Excelsior College generally make around $70,677. Typical student debt for the program is $19,311.
Read more about the international security program at Excelsior College
Syracuse University placed #10 among the best international security schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 international security degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international security program make about $62,805 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $24,443 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international security from Syracuse University
Liberty University landed the #11 spot for international security this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 61 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from Liberty University earn around $48,897 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international security from Liberty University
California State University San Bernardino came in at #12 for international security this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. About 14 international security degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete this degree.
Get the full international security details for California State University San Bernardino
Utah Valley University landed the #13 spot for international security this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. About 40% of students finish within six years. Utah Valley University awarded about 36 international security degrees in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international security program at Utah Valley University
Angelo State University earned the #14 position for international security this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Angelo. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Angelo State University awarded about 104 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $56,883. Students borrow a median of $11,066 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international security program at Angelo State University
Norwich University earned the #15 position for international security this year. Located in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Norwich University awarded about 32 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Norwich University generally make around $54,985. Students borrow a median of $16,850 to complete this degree.
See the full international security program report for Norwich University
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #16 spot for international security this year. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 international security students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $79,569 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international security program at The University Of Texas At El Paso
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #17 position for international security this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 international security students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international security program make about $49,983 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international security program at University Of New Mexico Main Campus
University Of North Georgia came in at #18 for international security this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 international security students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,564. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full international security program report for University Of North Georgia
Bellevue University landed the #19 spot for international security this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bellevue. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 international security students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Typical student debt for the program is $27,852.
Read more about the international security program at Bellevue University
Fairmont State University came in at #20 for international security this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 international security students who graduated with this degree at Fairmont State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from Fairmont State University earn around $35,925 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international security program at Fairmont State University
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 · 20 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).
