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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security

112 Colleges in the United States
4,553 Master's Degrees
$53,250 Avg Early-Career Salary
International Relations & National Security is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #41 most popular master's degree program in the country. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 112 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 4,553 master's degrees in international relations and national security during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great International Relations & National Security School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in international relations matters. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security ranking.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of international relations and national security students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in International Relations
Bachelor's Degrees in International Relations
Doctor's Degrees in International Relations
Overall Popularity in International Relations

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for international relations and national security.

Explore the most popular colleges and universities for international relations and national security students seeking a a master's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

16 Most Well Attended Schools for International Relations Students Working on Their Master's

1
609 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Johns Hopkins University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in international relations and national security. Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in Maryland.

There were roughly 609 international relations and national security individuals who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the international relations and national security program at Johns Hopkins University make $11,350 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Johns Hopkins University

2
343 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In DC
#2 Best Quality In DC

George Washington University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in international relations and national security. Located in the large city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in District of Columbia.

There were roughly 343 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available.

International Relations & National Security master's degree recipients from George Washington University get an earnings boost of around $7,950 above the typical earnings of international relations and national security graduates.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from George Washington University

3
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
317 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In DC
#3 Best Quality In DC

American University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in international relations and national security. Located in the large city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in District of Columbia.

There were approximately 317 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent data year.

Those international relations and national security students who get their master's degree from American University earn $4,250 more than the typical international relations student.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from American University

4
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
301 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In DC
#1 Best Quality In DC

Georgetown University is a popular option for individuals interested in a master's degree in international relations and national security. Georgetown is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in District of Columbia.

There were about 301 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the international relations and national security degree program at Georgetown University earn $16,450 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Georgetown University

5
264 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Naval Postgraduate School is a small public school located in the midsize suburb of Monterey.

There were roughly 264 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at Naval Postgraduate School in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Naval Postgraduate School

6
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
229 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#2 Best Quality In MA

Located in the large suburb of Medford, Tufts is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 229 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at Tufts in the most recent year we have data available.

International Relations & National Security master's degree recipients from Tufts University receive an earnings boost of around $7,850 over the average income of international relations and national security graduates.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Tufts University

7
194 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in New York.

There were approximately 194 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's recipients from the international relations and national security program at Columbia University in the City of New York make $10,750 more than the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Columbia University in the City of New York

8
126 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in New York.

There were roughly 126 international relations and national security individuals who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the international relations program report average early career earnings of $47,700.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from New York University

9
116 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#2 Best Quality In CA

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Monterey, Middlebury Institute is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in California.

There were about 116 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury Institute in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the international relations and national security program at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey make $2,150 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

10
109 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in California.

There were roughly 109 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, international relations master's recipients usually earn about $52,100 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from University of California - San Diego

11
90 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

DU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Denver. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in Colorado.

There were about 90 international relations and national security individuals who graduated with this degree at DU in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the international relations program state that they receive average early career earnings of $45,000.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from University of Denver

12
89 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#1 Best Quality In VA

Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in Virginia.

There were approximately 89 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available.

International Relations & National Security master's degree recipients from George Mason University receive an earnings boost of approximately $7,250 above the typical income of international relations and national security majors.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from George Mason University

13
88 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#2 Best Quality In TX

Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of College Station. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in Texas.

There were roughly 88 international relations and national security students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the international relations program report average early career earnings of $47,200.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Texas A&M University - College Station

14
Norwich crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT
79 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VT
#1 Best Quality In VT

Located in the distant town of Northfield, Norwich is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in Vermont.

There were about 79 international relations and national security individuals who graduated with this degree at Norwich in the most recent data year.

International Relations & National Security master's degree recipients from Norwich University receive an earnings boost of about $10,550 above the typical income of international relations and national security graduates.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Norwich University

15
71 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#1 Best Quality In AL

Located in the remote town of Troy, TROY is a public university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in Alabama.

There were approximately 71 international relations and national security individuals who graduated with this degree at TROY in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Troy University

16
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
67 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MO
#2 Best Quality In MO

Webster is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in international relations and national security in Missouri.

There were approximately 67 international relations and national security individuals who graduated with this degree at Webster in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, international relations master's recipients generally make an average of $36,300 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in international relations and national security from Webster University

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security award.

RankCollegeLocation
17University of ChicagoChicago, IL
18Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
19Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA
20University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA
20The New SchoolNew York, NY
22Arizona State University - SkysongScottsdale, AZ
23Institute of World PoliticsWashington, DC
23The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX
23University of Massachusetts - LowellLowell, MA

International Relations & National Security by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for International Relations & National Security for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 12 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, International Relations & National Security has other similar majors worth exploring.

International Relations Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
International Relations3,819
International Security475
Other International Relations & National Security Studies259

Majors Similar to International Relations

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Economics4,493
Political Science & Government1,850
Sociology1,311
Geography & Cartography1,291
Anthropology1,045
Criminology783
General Social Sciences631
Other Social Sciences369
Urban Studies300
Archeology52

Notes and References

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