2026 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Tennessee
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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international relations & national security schools.
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Best Schools for International Relations & National Security in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations & national security education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in International Relations & National Security
Rhodes College tops our 2026 ranking of the best international relations & national security schools. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Rhodes College awarded about 22 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $23,835 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,072.
Read more about the international relations & national security program at Rhodes College
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 40 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,754.
Read more about the international relations & national security program at Middle Tennessee State University
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Memphis earn around $48,890 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete this degree.
See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Memphis
More International Relations & National Security Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 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.
