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2023 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security

364 Ranked Colleges
9,158 Degrees Awarded
$35,987 Avg Salary
Schools for a Bachelor's Highly Focused on International Relations Major

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 9,158 international relations and national security graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,682 and $26,217 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major” ranking analyzed 364 colleges that offered a degree 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.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Schiller International University. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major. Schiller International University is located in Largo, Florida and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Full Schiller International University International Relations & National Security Report

2
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 364 schools in the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Military Institute landed the #2 spot on the list. Lexington, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full VMI International Relations & National Security Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Embry-Riddle Prescott is a private not-for-profit institution located in Prescott, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 82 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Embry-Riddle Prescott International Relations & National Security Report

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. American University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 415 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at The American University

5
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Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carleton College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major. Carleton College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 38 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. 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 Carleton

6
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Agnes Scott College
Decatur, Georgia

Agnes Scott College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #6. Agnes Scott is a small school located in Decatur, Georgia that handed out 18 bachelors’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%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Agnes Scott

7
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Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. This small school is located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Hampden - Sydney

8
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Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Occidental College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 31 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Occidental College International Relations & National Security Report

9
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #9, Lafayette College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Lafayette College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Easton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 41 bachelors’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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Lafayette

10
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

George Washington University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. George Washington University is a large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 563 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

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 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%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at George Washington University

11
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

Claremont McKenna College ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Claremont McKenna College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 24 bachelors’s international relations 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. 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%.

Full Claremont McKenna International Relations & National Security Report

12
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, Tennessee

Rhodes College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #12. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

13
Hamilton crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, New York

Hamilton College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Hamilton College is a small school located in Clinton, New York that handed out 29 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Hamilton

14
Conn College crest
Connecticut College
New London, Connecticut

Connecticut College ranked #14 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Connecticut College is a private not-for-profit institution located in New London, Connecticut. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Conn College

15
The College of Idaho crest
The College of Idaho
Caldwell, Idaho

The College of Idaho ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. This small school is located in Caldwell, Idaho, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at The College of Idaho

16
Hollins crest
Hollins University
Roanoke, Virginia

Hollins University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Hollins is located in Roanoke, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Hollins

17
Middlebury crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, Vermont

Middlebury College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #17. Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Middlebury, Vermont. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

18
West Point crest
United States Military Academy
West Point, New York

With a ranking of #18, United States Military Academy did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. West Point, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at West Point

19
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dickinson College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #19. Carlisle, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Dickinson College International Relations & National Security Report

20
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, New York

With a ranking of #20, Colgate University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Colgate is a small school located in Hamilton, New York that handed out 37 bachelors’s international relations 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%. 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Colgate University International Relations & National Security Report

21
Mt. Holyoke crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Mt. Holyoke is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 bachelors’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national 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 more about International Relations & National Security at Mount Holyoke College

22
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Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s international relations degrees to 289 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Georgetown International Relations & National Security Report

23
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College ranked #23 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. This small school is located in Beloit, Wisconsin, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

24
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 34 bachelors’s international relations degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Wheaton College Illinois

25
Principia crest
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Principia College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Principia is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elsah, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools for a Bachelor’s 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
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Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
27
SUNY Geneseo crest
SUNY Geneseo
Geneseo, New York
28
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Lewis & Clark College
Portland, Oregon
29
30
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Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois
31
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Fairmont State University
Fairmont, West Virginia
32
Rollins crest
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida
33
34
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Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont
35
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Transylvania University
Lexington, Kentucky
36
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa
37
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio
38
Wheaton College Massachusetts crest
Wheaton College Massachusetts
Norton, Massachusetts
39
Bucknell crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
40
Allegheny crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, Pennsylvania
41
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Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, New York
42
Knox crest
Knox College
Galesburg, Illinois
43
44
Angelo State crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
45
Wells crest
Wells College
Aurora, New York
46
Goucher crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, Maryland
47
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
48
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia
49
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia
50
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools for a Bachelor’s 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 University of Denver Denver, CO
52 Oglethorpe University Atlanta, GA
53 Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
54 Wofford College Spartanburg, SC
55 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ

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