2026 Best International Relations Schools

1

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the best school in the country for a degree in international relations. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 639 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $69,394 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for Georgetown University

2

Brown University
Providence, RI

A rank of #2 makes Brown University one of the top schools for international relations. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 111 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Brown University earn around $46,284 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the international relations program at Brown University

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for international relations. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 97 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in international relations from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #4. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 37 international relations degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Colgate University

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 87 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $76,166 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Stanford University

6

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for international relations this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 22 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $65,559 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,470 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at University Of Pennsylvania

7

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 125 international relations degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from Harvard University

8

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #8 spot for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 114 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $46,870 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,672 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

9

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #9 for international relations this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 117 international relations degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for Yale University

10

Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College landed the #10 spot for international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lafayette College graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Lafayette College earn around $58,433 in the first couple years of their career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $16,620 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Lafayette College

11

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #11 among the best international relations schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 29 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $53,543 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. Read more about the international relations program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

12

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #12 spot for international relations this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 839 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $60,277 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University

13

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #13 for international relations this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 156 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $66,182 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Chicago

14

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 30 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

15

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #15 position for international relations this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $60,025 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

16

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #16 among the best international relations schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 127 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $52,262. Students borrow a median of $13,765 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for University Of Southern California

17

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #17 for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 17 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $65,681 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

18

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Claremont Mckenna College came in at #18 for international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Claremont Mckenna College graduates 91% of students within six years. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 20 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $66,028 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the international relations program at Claremont Mckenna College

19

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 15 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005. Read more about the international relations program at Cornell University

20

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College earned the #20 position for international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Wellesley College awarded about 19 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $48,902 in their early career. Wellesley College graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Wellesley College

21

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 704 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $61,820. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from George Washington University

22

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #22 among the best international relations schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 93 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $68,368. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for University Of California San Diego

23

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University landed the #23 spot for international relations this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 302 international relations degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $63,706 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,375. Read more about the international relations program at Tufts University

24

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary landed the #24 spot for international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 72 international relations students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $47,270 in the first couple years of their career. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for College Of William And Mary

25

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Brigham Young University Provo graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $50,563. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Brigham Young University Provo