by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in International Relations covers International Relations And Affairs. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of International Politics And Institutions, And The Conduct Of Diplomacy And Foreign Policy. Includes Instruction In International Relations Theory, Foreign Policy Analysis, International Law And Organization, The Comparative Study Of Specific Countries And Regions, And The Theory And Practice Of Diplomacy. Examples: [International Relations], [International Affairs], [Foreign Policy And Diplomacy], [International Relations And Affairs-Economics], [International Relations And Affairs-History], [International Relations And Affairs-Political Science]. Read on to learn the key facts every international relations major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international relations programs.
Across the country, international relations is a popular field of study, with 11,684 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Relations Schools ranking analyzes these 327 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international relations students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international relations programs later in this article.
Studies in International Relations build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international relations graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a international relations program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a international relations major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international relations degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 18 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,153 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,416 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 95 |
People currently working in careers related to international relations tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 58.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.8% |
| Master’s degree | 5.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international relations careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in international relations prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to international relations.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international relations.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of international relations graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $52,048 |
| 4 years | $67,113 |
| 5 years | $78,479 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international relations graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international relations grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
With 327 different international relations programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international relations school rankings to help you.
Students interested in international relations, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| National Security Policy Studies | 788 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies, Other | 563 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
