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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Relations Schools in Massachusetts

9 Colleges in the United States
756 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$60,055 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Relations programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 17 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 Massachusetts

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

Top Schools in International Relations

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University tops our 2026 ranking 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%. Harvard University awarded about 125 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Harvard University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the top schools for international relations. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 29 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

3
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. About 19 international relations degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Wellesley College earn around $48,902 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,075. More information about a degree in international relations from Wellesley College

4
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

A rank of #4 makes Tufts University one of the top schools for international relations. 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. Students who receive their international relations degree from Tufts University earn around $63,706 in the first couple years of their career. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Tufts University

5
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

A rank of #5 makes Boston University one of the top schools for international relations. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 183 international relations degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Boston University earn around $48,622 in the first couple years of their career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full international relations program report for Boston University

6

Northeastern University came in at #6 for international relations this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 international relations degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $60,311 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Northeastern University

7

University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #7 spot for international relations this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 24 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at University Of Massachusetts Boston

8

Suffolk University came in at #8 for international relations this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 61% of students finish within six years. Suffolk University awarded about 23 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $57,261 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,990 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Suffolk University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 17 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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