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2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

434 Ranked Colleges
14,306 Degrees Awarded
$35,000 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 14,306 people earned their degree in international relations and national security, making the major the 67th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, international relations and national security graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $41,288 and had an average of $21,455 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major” ranking looked at 434 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in international relations and national security. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in international relations and national security.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for international relations students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for International Relations & National Security

1
Institute of World Politics crest
Institute of World Politics
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Institute of World Politics. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 45 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Institute of World Politics

2

Out of the 434 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Monterey, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 49 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Middlebury Institute International Relations & National Security Report

3

Out of the 434 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Schiller International University landed the #3 spot on the list. Schiller International University is a small private for-profit school situated in Largo, Florida. It awarded 2 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Schiller International University

4
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia

Out of the 434 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major that were part of this year’s ranking, American University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 700 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at American University

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott is a private not-for-profit institution located in Prescott, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 86 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott

6
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small public school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Virginia Military Institute International Relations & National Security Report

7

Virginia International University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Virginia International University

8
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Medford, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 478 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Tufts University International Relations & National Security Report

9
SIT crest
SIT Graduate Institute
Brattleboro, Vermont

SIT Graduate Institute did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Brattleboro, Vermont, and it awarded 5 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full SIT International Relations & National Security Report

9

With a ranking of #9, Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the Caribbean did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the Caribbean is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Juan, . The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the Caribbean International Relations & National Security Report

11
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #11, George Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. George Washington University is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 948 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at George Washington University

12
Norwich crest
Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont

With a ranking of #12, Norwich University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Northfield, Vermont is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 110 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Norwich University

13
Naval Postgraduate School crest
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, California

Naval Postgraduate School did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Monterey, California, this small public school handed out 257 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2020-2021.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Naval Postgraduate School

14
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Georgetown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 572 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Georgetown University

15
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

With a ranking of #15, Carleton College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Carleton College International Relations & National Security Report

16
Agnes Scott crest
Agnes Scott College
Decatur, Georgia

With a ranking of #16, Agnes Scott College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. This small school is located in Decatur, Georgia, and it awarded 18 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Agnes Scott International Relations & National Security Report

17
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Hampden - Sydney is a small school located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia that handed out 15 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Hampden - Sydney

18
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Occidental College ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 31 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Occidental College

19
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 686 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Johns Hopkins University

20
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

Lafayette College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Lafayette College is located in Easton, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Lafayette College

21
Angelo State crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. San Angelo, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 103 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Angelo State University

22
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

Claremont McKenna College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Claremont McKenna is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 24 ’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Claremont McKenna College

23
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, Tennessee

Rhodes College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #23. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Rhodes College

24
Hamilton crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, New York

With a ranking of #24, Hamilton College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Hamilton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Clinton, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Hamilton

25
Conn College crest
Connecticut College
New London, Connecticut

With a ranking of #25, Connecticut College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Conn College is located in New London, Connecticut and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Conn College

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
The College of Idaho crest
The College of Idaho
Caldwell, Idaho
27
Hollins crest
Hollins University
Roanoke, Virginia
28
Middlebury crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, Vermont
29
West Point crest
United States Military Academy
West Point, New York
30
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
31
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, New York
32
Mt. Holyoke crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts
33
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin
34
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
35
Principia crest
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois
36
Seton Hall crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, New Jersey
37
SUNY Geneseo crest
SUNY Geneseo
Geneseo, New York
38
NEC crest
New England College
Henniker, New Hampshire
39
Lewis and Clark College crest
Lewis & Clark College
Portland, Oregon
40
41
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
42
Lake Forest crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois
43
Fairmont State crest
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, West Virginia
44
Rollins crest
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida
45
46
Transylvania crest
Transylvania University
Lexington, Kentucky
47
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa
48
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio
49
NDC crest
Notre Dame College
Cleveland, Ohio
50
Wheaton College Massachusetts crest
Wheaton College Massachusetts
Norton, Massachusetts

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
52 Allegheny College Meadville, PA
53 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
54 Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY
55 Knox College Galesburg, IL
56 Linfield University - McMinnville Campus McMinnville, OR
57 Wells College Aurora, NY
58 Goucher College Baltimore, MD
59 Boston University Boston, MA
60 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
61 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
62 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
63 St. Mary’s University San Antonio, TX
64 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
65 Pomona College Claremont, CA
Rank College Location
66 Oglethorpe University Atlanta, GA

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