by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Relations National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their international relations national security graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying international relations national security schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose international relations national security graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 for international relations national security graduate salaries in the United States. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from University Of Chicago make a median of around $98,430 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in international relations national security will find them at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $128,687.
Middlebury College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Middlebury College make a median of around $116,041 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Monterey Institute Of International Studies one of the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the suburb of Monterey, Monterey Institute Of International Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Monterey Institute Of International Studies typically earn about $116,041 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in international relations national security will find them at Dickinson College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,169.
Colgate University earned the #6 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Colgate University typically earn about $86,420 annually.
Northeastern University earned the #7 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Northeastern University make a median of around $78,837 per year.
Bucknell University landed the #8 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Bucknell University typically earn about $77,668 annually.
University Of Rochester earned the #9 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of about $76,594 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,024.
Lafayette College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of about $89,758 a year early in their careers.
Denison University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Denison University earn a median of about $70,795 a year early in their careers.
Brown University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Brown University make a median of around $104,415 per year.
Gonzaga University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. International Relations National Security graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of about $68,710 a year early in their careers.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $94,047.
University Of Southern California landed the #16 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,675.
George Washington University landed the #17 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $84,705.
Webster University landed the #18 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Webster University make a median of around $65,402 per year.
Tufts University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Tufts University typically earn about $80,548 annually.
Suny College At Cortland earned the #20 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Suny College At Cortland make a median of around $63,740 per year.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. International Relations National Security graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $87,416 a year early in their careers.
Johns Hopkins University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University typically earn about $91,204 annually.
Georgetown University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Georgetown University typically earn about $80,731 annually.
Lewis And Clark College landed the #24 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Set in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Lewis And Clark College typically earn about $61,511 annually.
College Of William And Mary came in at #25 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from College Of William And Mary make a median of around $81,921 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid international relations national security ranking:
Explore the highest-paying international relations national security schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their international relations national security graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.