College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Virginia

12 Colleges in Virginia
1,122 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$41,509 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in international relations & national security, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #67 in the country in terms of popularity. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 12 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Virginia ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,122 degrees in international relations & national security during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great International Relations & National Security School

Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Virginia Your choice of international relations & national security school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall International Relations & National Security School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your International Relations & National Security Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in International Relations
Master's Degrees in International Relations
Doctor's Degrees in International Relations

The international relations school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Virginia. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for International Relations & National Security in Virginia

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the international relations degree levels they offer.

10 Top Virginia Schools in International Relations

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
208 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$45,350 Median Starting Salary

University of Virginia - Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations & national security. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were about 208 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available. Those international relations & national security students who get their degree from University of Virginia - Main Campus receive $3,841 more than the average international relations student.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University of Virginia - Main Campus

2
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
160 International Relations Degrees Awarded
9.4% Growth in Graduates

Virginia Tech is a wonderful decision for students interested in a degree in international relations & national security. Virginia Tech is a fairly large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. A Best Colleges rank of #62 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were roughly 160 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients generally make about $39,039 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Virginia Tech

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
259 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$51,291 Median Starting Salary

George Mason University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations & national security. Located in the large suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 259 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the international relations & national security degree program at George Mason University earn $9,782 more than the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from George Mason University

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
72 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$43,636 Median Starting Salary

William & Mary is a great option for students interested in a degree in international relations & national security. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school located in the small suburb of Williamsburg. A Best Colleges rank of #111 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means William & Mary is a great school overall.

There were approximately 72 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at William & Mary in the most recent year we have data available. Those international relations & national security students who get their degree from William & Mary make $2,127 more than the average international relations grad.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from William & Mary

5
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
78 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$38,400 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #169 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means JMU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 78 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the international relations program state that they receive average early career income of $38,400.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from James Madison University

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
56 International Relations Degrees Awarded
10.7% Growth in Graduates

VMI is a small public school located in the distant town of Lexington. A Best Colleges rank of #326 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means VMI is a great school overall.

There were roughly 56 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at VMI in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the international relations program report average early career income of $39,302.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Virginia Military Institute

7
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
140 International Relations Degrees Awarded
38.6% Growth in Graduates

Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Lynchburg. This university ranks 12th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 140 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the international relations program earn around $43,248 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Liberty University

8
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In VA
26.7% Growth in Graduates

Hampden - Sydney is a small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. This college ranks 19th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 15 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Hampden - Sydney in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Hampden - Sydney College

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 International Relations Degrees Awarded
23.3% Growth in Graduates

Old Dominion is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Norfolk. This university ranks 14th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 43 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the international relations program state that they receive average early career wages of $27,535.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Old Dominion University

10
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$35,996 Median Starting Salary
$25,543 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize suburb of Fredericksburg, UMW is a public university with a small student population. This university ranks 21st out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 21 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at UMW in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the international relations program state that they receive average early career earnings of $35,996.

More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University of Mary Washington

Best International Relations & National Security Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 505
Florida 282 879
North Carolina 279 91
Tennessee 269 108
South Carolina 248 61
Kentucky 244 68
Louisiana 242 58
Mississippi 234 58
Arkansas 234 48
Alabama 233 135
West Virginia 207 31

View All Rankings >

International Relations & National Security is one of 13 different types of Social Sciences programs to choose from.

International Relations Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
International Relations 1,007
Other International Relations & National Security Studies 75
International Security 40

View All International Relations Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 1,786
General Social Sciences 1,609
Economics 1,329
Sociology 937
Geography & Cartography 254
Anthropology 219
Urban Studies 81
Other Social Sciences 19
Sociology & Anthropology 16

View All International Relations Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options