2026 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Illinois
International Relations & National Security degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international relations & national security programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 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 Illinois
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
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for international relations & national security. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 156 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $66,182. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Chicago
Wheaton College Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #2. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 18 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $40,084. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans.
See the full international relations & national security program report for Wheaton College Illinois
Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 15 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Get the full international relations & national security details for Loyola University Chicago
Depaul University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #4 spot this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 42 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $41,610 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250.
Get the full international relations & national security details for Depaul University
More International Relations & National Security Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
