by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Relations National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. 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 4 schools to find where international relations national security graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send international relations national security graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of Chicago tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools in Illinois. 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 $98,430 annually.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Wheaton College Illinois make a median of around $53,995 per year.
Depaul University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international relations national security, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Depaul University make a median of around $55,741 per year.
Loyola University Chicago produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international relations national security, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Loyola University Chicago make a median of around $55,884 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 4 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.