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 13 schools to find where international relations national security graduates earn the most.
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 Colgate University, our #1 for international relations national security graduate salaries in New York. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate 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 $86,420.
Students chasing top earnings in international relations national security will find them at University Of Rochester, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from University Of Rochester typically earn about $76,594 annually.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Suny College At Cortland is a public school located in the town of Cortland. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Suny College At Cortland make a median of around $63,740 per year.
Fordham University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international relations national security, landing the #4 spot 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 $75,033 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes State University Of New York At New Paltz one of the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz typically earn about $57,641 annually.
Syracuse University earned the #6 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Syracuse University make a median of around $65,420 per year.
Skidmore College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore 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 $51,622.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a public institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Suny At Geneseo make a median of around $68,963 per year.
Vassar College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Vassar College make a median of around $75,748 per year.
Hamilton College earned the #10 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,332.
Cuny City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Cuny City College is a public school located in the city of New York. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Cuny City College typically earn about $60,089 annually.
Hobart William Smith Colleges came in at #12 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Hobart William Smith Colleges make a median of around $40,648 per year.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of about $31,455 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 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.