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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find where international relations national security graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose international relations national security graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in international relations national security, no school beat Denison University this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison 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 $70,795.
University Of Chicago produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international relations national security, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from University Of Chicago typically earn about $102,718 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in international relations national security will find them at Oakland University, which ranked #3. Oakland University is a public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Oakland University typically earn about $59,428 annually.
Kent State University At Kent produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international relations national security, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of about $57,972 a year early in their careers.
Michigan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $75,882 annually.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #6 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. International Relations National Security graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $65,732 a year early in their careers.
Miami University Oxford placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of about $61,057 a year early in their careers.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #8 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $63,817 a year early in their careers.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois typically earn about $53,995 annually.
Central Michigan University earned the #10 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Central Michigan University make a median of around $59,452 per year.
Marquette University landed the #11 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette 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 $43,290.
Depaul University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Depaul University earn a median of about $64,683 a year early in their careers.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #13 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago typically earn about $55,884 annually.
Beloit College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Set in the city of Beloit, Beloit 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 $41,777.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #15 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of about $36,889 a year early in their careers.
Grand Valley State University came in at #16 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $39,625 a year early in their careers.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #17 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus typically earn about $32,543 annually.
Cleveland State University earned the #18 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,434.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries international relations national security graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 18 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.