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 9 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.
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 for international relations national security graduate salaries in Virginia. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus typically earn about $87,416 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at College Of William And Mary earned it the #2 place for international relations national security. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from College Of William And Mary make a median of around $81,921 per year.
Virginia Military Institute produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international relations national security, landing the #3 spot this year. Virginia Military Institute is a public school located in the town of Lexington. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute typically earn about $79,025 annually.
George Mason University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $84,118 annually.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University typically earn about $74,206 annually.
James Madison University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of James Madison University earn a median of about $66,783 a year early in their careers.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. University Of Mary Washington is a public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Early-career international relations national security graduates from University Of Mary Washington make a median of around $56,845 per year.
Liberty University earned the #8 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Liberty University make a median of around $65,865 per year.
Old Dominion University came in at #9 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,480.
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 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.