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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Relations Schools in the Southeast Region

36 Colleges in the United States
2,090 International Relations Degrees Awarded
$43,526 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 88 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 the Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in International Relations

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best international relations schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 114 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $46,870 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,672 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 30 international relations degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

3

College Of William And Mary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations, ranking #3. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 72 international relations degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $47,270. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Get the full international relations details for College Of William And Mary

4
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 international relations students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $44,667 in their early career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $18,460 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from James Madison University

5
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $71,278 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296. Read more about the international relations program at Duke University

6

University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 202 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $39,275 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at University Of Georgia

7

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #7 among the best international relations schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 116 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $44,638 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

8
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Emory University awarded about 18 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Emory University earn around $45,022 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full international relations program report for Emory University

9

Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #9 spot for international relations this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $47,956. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations details for Tulane University Of Louisiana

10
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 35 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $31,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations from University Of Miami

11
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #11 position for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 272 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $40,628 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,767 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at Florida State University

12

George Mason University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 139 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $59,015. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Get the full international relations details for George Mason University

13

University Of Kentucky landed the #13 spot for international relations this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 18 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $47,514 in their early career. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for University Of Kentucky

14

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #14 spot for international relations this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 74 international relations degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $30,977. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

15

University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #15 for international relations this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. International Relations graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $33,612 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

16
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 96 international relations degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $48,897. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from Liberty University

17

Virginia Military Institute placed #17 among the best international relations schools. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Virginia Military Institute graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Virginia Military Institute earn around $44,429 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Military Institute graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Virginia Military Institute

18

The University Of Alabama landed the #18 spot for international relations this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 27 international relations degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $35,324 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full international relations details for The University Of Alabama

19
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best international relations schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 22 international relations degrees were awarded at Rhodes College in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $23,835 early in their careers. Rhodes College graduates carry a median of $22,072 in student loans. Read more about the international relations program at Rhodes College

20

West Virginia University earned the #20 position for international relations this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 22 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from West Virginia University earn around $51,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at West Virginia University

21
Wofford College crest
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College came in at #21 for international relations this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Spartanburg. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Wofford College awarded about 16 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Wofford College earn around $43,428 in the first couple years of their career. Wofford College graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for Wofford College

22

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #22 spot for international relations this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 international relations students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $51,555 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

23

Middle Tennessee State University placed #23 among the best international relations schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 40 international relations degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. International Relations graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations from Middle Tennessee State University

24

Florida International University placed #24 among the best international relations schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 204 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations program make about $33,417 in their early career. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $18,637 in student loans. Get the full international relations details for Florida International University

25

Agnes Scott College came in at #25 for international relations this year. Located in the suburb of Decatur, Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Agnes Scott College awarded about 12 international relations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations degree from Agnes Scott College earn around $28,191 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,811 to complete this degree. See the full international relations program report for Agnes Scott College

Rest of the Top 37 International Relations Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s international relations ranking:

26
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
27
28
Hampden Sydney College crest
Hampden Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA
29
30
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
31
32
33
34
Rollins College crest
Rollins College
Winter Park, FL
35
36
37

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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 · 88 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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