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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the early-career earnings of their international relations national security graduates.
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Below are the schools whose international relations national security graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the top school for international relations national security graduate earnings in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown 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 $119,853.
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of 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. International Relations National Security graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of about $113,563 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $103,308 annually.
Institute Of World Politics produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international relations national security, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Institute Of World Politics is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Institute Of World Politics earn a median of about $101,277 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in international relations national security will find them at George Washington University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from George Washington University make a median of around $109,649 per year.
American University came in at #6 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. American University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from American University typically earn about $101,443 annually.
Syracuse University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. International Relations National Security graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of about $97,274 a year early in their careers.
Seton Hall University earned the #8 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Seton Hall University make a median of around $79,789 per year.
New York University earned the #9 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. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $86,077.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #10 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. 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.
Fordham University earned the #11 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Fordham University earn a median of about $60,709 a year early in their careers.
The New School ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of The New School earn a median of about $72,561 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 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.