2027 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the The Plains States Region
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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools to find the best for international relations & national security students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for International Relations & National Security in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations & national security education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in International Relations & National Security
University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations & national security. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 15 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree.
See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
A rank of #2 makes Carleton College one of the top schools for international relations & national security. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. About 37 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Carleton College earn around $45,096 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566.
Get the full international relations & national security details for Carleton College
Students looking for a strong international relations & national security program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 39 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $28,596 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,167.
More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Kansas State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans.
See the full international relations & national security program report for Kansas State University
University Of Iowa came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $36,376 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,030 in student loans.
Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Iowa
Drake University landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 16 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $56,228 in their early career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
Get the full international relations & national security details for Drake University
Bellevue University placed #7 among the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. There were roughly 33 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Bellevue University graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Bellevue University
Webster University earned the #8 position for international relations & national security this year. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 44 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Webster University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $66,017 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,939.
More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Webster University
Narrow International Relations & National Security Schools by State
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), 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 · 8 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.