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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Relations Schools in the Far Western Region

20 Colleges in the United States
798 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$48,196 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Relations is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international relations schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for International Relations in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in International Relations

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for international relations. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Get the full international relations details for Stanford University

2

Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students 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. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $13,765 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for University Of Southern California

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the top schools for international relations. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 17 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

4

Claremont Mckenna College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 20 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Claremont Mckenna College earn around $66,028 in the first couple years of their career. Claremont Mckenna College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Claremont Mckenna College

5

Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 93 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $68,368 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at University Of California San Diego

6

University Of California Davis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 94 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $34,949 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,416. Get the full international relations details for University Of California Davis

7

Claremont Graduate University placed #7 among the best international relations schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Claremont Graduate University awarded about 14 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Claremont Graduate University earn around $68,239 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full international relations details for Claremont Graduate University

8
Occidental College crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College earned the #8 position for international relations this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Occidental College awarded about 26 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $35,231 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,275. See the full international relations program report for Occidental College

9

University Of San Diego landed the #9 spot for international relations this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $50,948 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at University Of San Diego

10

University Of California Riverside came in at #10 for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 56 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $27,021 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,914 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of California Riverside

11

Loyola Marymount University landed the #11 spot for international relations this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 37 international relations degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $34,575 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full international relations program report for Loyola Marymount University

12
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco came in at #12 for international relations this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $36,669. Students borrow a median of $24,508 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for University Of San Francisco

13

San Francisco State University landed the #13 spot for international relations this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 44 international relations degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,254 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. More information about a degree in international relations from San Francisco State University

14

Monterey Institute Of International Studies came in at #14 for international relations this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey, Monterey Institute Of International Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Monterey Institute Of International Studies awarded about 48 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Monterey Institute Of International Studies earn a median of $68,770 early in their careers. Read more about the international relations program at Monterey Institute Of International Studies

15

Lewis And Clark College landed the #15 spot for international relations this year. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 30 international relations degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark College in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $43,381 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for Lewis And Clark College

16

University Of Nevada Reno landed the #16 spot for international relations this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nevada Reno awarded about 17 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $29,539 in their early career. University Of Nevada Reno graduates carry a median of $23,437 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Nevada Reno

17

Portland State University came in at #17 for international relations this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. About 53% of students finish within six years. Portland State University awarded about 11 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $30,253 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations details for Portland State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 63 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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