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2027 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region

12 Colleges in the United States
600 International Relations & National Security Degrees Awarded
$46,023 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Relations & National Security degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international relations & national security students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for International Relations & National Security in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the international relations & national security degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in International Relations & National Security

1

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations & national security. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 121 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $66,182 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Chicago

2

Students looking for a strong international relations & national security program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 13 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $59,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Students looking for a strong international relations & national security program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 90 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $38,584. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Ohio State University Main Campus

4
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #4. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $38,810. Students borrow a median of $24,766 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Michigan State University

5
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Marquette University earn around $43,290 in the first couple years of their career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Marquette University

6

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #6 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 119 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $56,110 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Indiana University Bloomington

7
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University landed the #7 spot for international relations & national security this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. Butler University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $68,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. See the full international relations & national security program report for Butler University

8

Miami University Oxford landed the #8 spot for international relations & national security this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $38,766 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,977 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Miami University Oxford

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 16 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $32,543 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,625. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

10

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #10 for international relations & national security this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $40,084 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,875. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Wheaton College Illinois

11
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 54 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Depaul University earn around $41,610 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Depaul University

12

Grand Valley State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. About 67% of students finish within six years. Grand Valley State University awarded about 19 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $28,202 in their early career. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full international relations & national security program report for Grand Valley State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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