2026 Best International Relations Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for international relations. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 156 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $66,182 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for University Of Chicago

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 106 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $38,584. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

4

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Students looking for a strong international relations program will find one at Michigan State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 98 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $38,810 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,766. See the full international relations program report for Michigan State University

5

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 20 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Marquette University earn around $43,290 in the first couple years of their career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from Marquette University

6

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #6 position for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 103 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $56,110. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250. More information about a degree in international relations from Indiana University Bloomington

7

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford landed the #7 spot for international relations this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 43 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $38,766 early in their careers. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $21,977 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for Miami University Oxford

8

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #8 among the best international relations schools. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne awarded about 10 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for international relations this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 11 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $32,543 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

10

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 18 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $40,084. Typical student debt for the program is $23,875. Read more about the international relations program at Wheaton College Illinois

11

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 international relations degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $32,682 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in international relations from Loyola University Chicago

12

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #12 position for international relations this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Depaul University earn around $41,610 in the first couple years of their career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for Depaul University

13

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. Grand Valley State University awarded about 17 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $28,202 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from Grand Valley State University

14

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University placed #14 among the best international relations schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cleveland State University awarded about 12 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $31,434 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for Cleveland State University

15

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #15 for international relations this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Oakland University graduates 58% of students within six years. Oakland University awarded about 12 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Oakland University earn around $54,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972. More information about a degree in international relations from Oakland University

16

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent placed #16 among the best international relations schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 12 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. See the full international relations program report for Kent State University At Kent

17

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #17 for international relations this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 20 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $35,802 in their early career. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for Central Michigan University