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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Relations Schools in New York

18 Colleges in the United States
1,046 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$50,299 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Relations is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international relations students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for International Relations in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations education in New York.

Top Schools in International Relations

1
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University tops our 2026 ranking of the best international relations schools. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 37 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Colgate University earn around $52,924 in the first couple years of their career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Colgate University

2

Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for Cornell University

3

Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 266 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $80,448 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #4. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 225 international relations degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from New York University generally make around $59,814. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from New York University

5
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

A rank of #5 makes Suny At Albany one of the top schools for international relations. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Suny At Albany graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. Get the full international relations details for Suny At Albany

6

University Of Rochester landed the #6 spot for international relations this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for University Of Rochester

7

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College awarded about 43 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $67,588 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,691. More information about a degree in international relations from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

8
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College came in at #8 for international relations this year. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 22 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Vassar College earn around $31,956 in the first couple years of their career. Vassar College graduates carry a median of $20,232 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from Vassar College

9

Fordham University landed the #9 spot for international relations this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Fordham University awarded about 99 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $53,681 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,843 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from Fordham University

10

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. This large public university is located in the city of New York. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 36 international relations degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Typical student debt for the program is $12,678. More information about a degree in international relations from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

11
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #11 for international relations this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 145 international relations degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $62,805 early in their careers. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $24,443 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for Syracuse University

12
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #12 position for international relations this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 57 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $30,627 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,337. More information about a degree in international relations from Cuny City College

13
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo came in at #13 for international relations this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Suny At Geneseo graduates 71% of students within six years. Suny At Geneseo awarded about 10 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $36,754 early in their careers. Suny At Geneseo graduates carry a median of $21,519 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for Suny At Geneseo

14
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College placed #14 among the best international relations schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 international relations degrees were awarded at Skidmore College in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,274 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Skidmore College

15

Hobart William Smith Colleges placed #15 among the best international relations schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Geneva. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 11 international relations degrees were awarded at Hobart William Smith Colleges in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Hobart William Smith Colleges earn around $40,648 in the first couple years of their career. Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Hobart William Smith Colleges

16

State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #16 position for international relations this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 international relations students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $41,000 in their early career. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for State University Of New York At New Paltz

17
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School landed the #17 spot for international relations this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The New School awarded about 13 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from The New School generally make around $47,855. The New School graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for The New School

18

Suny College At Brockport landed the #18 spot for international relations this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Suny College At Brockport graduates 55% of students within six years. Suny College At Brockport awarded about 10 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $39,724 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,757. See the full international relations program report for Suny College At Brockport

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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 · 40 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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