2026 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Virginia
International Relations & National Security programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools to find the best for international relations & national security students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for International Relations & National Security in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations & national security education in Virginia.
Top Schools in International Relations & National Security
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for international relations & national security. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 114 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $46,870. Students borrow a median of $20,672 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
College Of William And Mary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. College Of William And Mary awarded about 72 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $47,270 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
Get the full international relations & national security details for College Of William And Mary
James Madison University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $44,667. Typical student debt for the program is $18,460.
Read more about the international relations & national security program at James Madison University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #4. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 118 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $44,638 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international relations & national security program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 226 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from George Mason University earn around $59,015 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
See the full international relations & national security program report for George Mason University
Liberty University placed #6 among the best international relations & national security schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 156 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Liberty University earn around $48,897 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations & national security program at Liberty University
Virginia Military Institute earned the #7 position for international relations & national security this year. This small public university is located in the town of Lexington. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $44,429 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full international relations & national security program report for Virginia Military Institute
University Of Mary Washington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $30,357 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $25,086 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Mary Washington
Hampden Sydney College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Hampden Sydney College awarded about 10 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $45,238 in their early career. Hampden Sydney College graduates carry a median of $26,494 in student loans.
Get the full international relations & national security details for Hampden Sydney College
Old Dominion University placed #10 among the best international relations & national security schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $33,581. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750.
Get the full international relations & national security details for Old Dominion University
Regent University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Regent University awarded about 25 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Regent University earn a median of $50,406 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree.
See the full international relations & national security program report for Regent University
More International Relations & National Security Rankings
View All International Relations & National Security Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 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.
