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 highest-paying schools turn a international relations national security degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 39 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.
Georgetown University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools in the United States. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of about $119,853 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set 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 $113,563 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York 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 $103,308.
Students chasing top earnings in international relations national security will find them at George Mason University, which ranked #4. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Early-career international relations national security graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $107,973 per year.
Institute Of World Politics produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international relations national security, landing the #5 spot this year. Institute Of World Politics is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $101,277.
George Washington University landed the #6 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Located 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 $109,649.
Tufts University earned the #7 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Tufts University make a median of around $104,887 per year.
American University came in at #8 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from American University typically earn about $101,443 annually.
Rice University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Rice University make a median of around $82,320 per year.
University Of Chicago landed the #10 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of about $104,862 a year early in their careers.
Monterey Institute Of International Studies placed #11 among 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. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $99,255.
University Of California San Diego ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $97,237 per year.
Troy University earned the #13 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a public institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Troy University typically earn about $79,581 annually.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #14 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,569.
University Of Arizona placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from University Of Arizona make a median of around $75,863 per year.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station typically earn about $95,618 annually.
Syracuse University landed the #17 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Syracuse University typically earn about $97,274 annually.
Norwich University landed the #18 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Norwich University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. International Relations National Security graduates of Norwich University earn a median of about $87,173 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #19 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $91,960 annually.
Seton Hall University came in at #20 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall 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 $79,789.
New York University earned the #21 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from New York University typically earn about $86,077 annually.
St Marys University came in at #22 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from St Marys University typically earn about $88,214 annually.
Webster University came in at #23 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Webster University typically earn about $73,410 annually.
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #24 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $68,957 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College typically earn about $67,588 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid international relations national security ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid International Relations National Security rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 39 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.