by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in International Security explores National Security Policy Studies. A Program That Focuses On The Theory And Application Of Intelligence, Diplomacy, Military Power, And Related Tools Of Statecraft To National Defense Policy Formulation And Power Projection. Includes Instruction In History, Political Theory, Public Policy Analysis, Civil-Military Relations, Military And Defense Studies, Homeland Security, Leadership, Threat Scenarios, Regional And Local Issues, Alliance And Coalition Issues, Defense Budgeting And Economics, Intelligence, And Strategy. Examples: [National Security Studies], [Strategic Studies]. Read on to learn the important information every international security major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international security programs.
Across the country, international security is a widely-pursued major, with 788 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Security Schools ranking analyzes these 45 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international security students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international security programs later in this article.
Programs in International Security build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international security graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a international security program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a international security major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international security degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 218 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 570 |
People currently working in careers related to international security tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 58.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.8% |
| Master’s degree | 5.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international security careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying international security can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to international security.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international security.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of international security graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $52,048 |
| 4 years | $67,113 |
| 5 years | $78,479 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international security graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international security grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
With 45 different international security programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international security school rankings to help you.
Students interested in international security, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Relations and Affairs | 11,684 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies, Other | 563 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
