International Security degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international security schools.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Homeland Security (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Homeland Security (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "International Business (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "International Business (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA - International Business (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget
Choosing a Great International Security School
Where you study international security matters for your future. That is why we built our Best International Security Schools rankings. For our Best Overall International Security School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best International Security Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best school in the country for a degree in international security. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 21 international security students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
More information about a degree in international security from Harvard University
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international security, ranking #2. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 29 international security degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $60,277. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Get the full international security details for Johns Hopkins University
Auburn University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best international security schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 international security students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international security from Auburn University
Students looking for a strong international security program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 international security degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their international security degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree.
See the full international security program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Duke University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best international security schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. There were roughly 20 international security students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from Duke University earn around $71,278 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international security from Duke University
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #6 spot for international security this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 international security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $67,146 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,574.
Read more about the international security program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell
San Diego State University placed #7 among the best international security schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 43 international security degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $49,617. Typical student debt for the program is $17,134.
Get the full international security details for San Diego State University
Excelsior College placed #8 among the best international security schools. Set in the city of Albany, Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 22 international security degrees were awarded at Excelsior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Excelsior College generally make around $70,677. Excelsior College graduates carry a median of $19,311 in student loans.
Get the full international security details for Excelsior College
East Carolina University placed #9 among the best international security schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. East Carolina University awarded about 14 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international security from East Carolina University
Syracuse University earned the #10 position for international security this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 14 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international security program make about $62,805 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,443.
Get the full international security details for Syracuse University
California State University San Bernardino placed #11 among the best international security schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 11 international security students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international security program make about $42,421 in their early career. California State University San Bernardino graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans.
See the full international security program report for California State University San Bernardino
Liberty University landed the #12 spot for international security this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 60 international security degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international security program make about $48,897 in their early career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans.
Get the full international security details for Liberty University
Utah Valley University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best international security schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 international security students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,478.
Get the full international security details for Utah Valley University
Angelo State University came in at #14 for international security this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 82 international security degrees were awarded at Angelo State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $56,883. Students borrow a median of $11,066 to complete this degree.
Get the full international security details for Angelo State University
Norwich University landed the #15 spot for international security this year. Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 international security degrees were awarded at Norwich University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Norwich University generally make around $54,985. Norwich University graduates carry a median of $16,850 in student loans.
Read more about the international security program at Norwich University
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #16 among the best international security schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 international security degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent year. Graduates of the international security program make about $79,569 in their early career. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international security from The University Of Texas At El Paso
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best international security schools. This large public university is located in the city of Akron. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 11 international security degrees were awarded at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year. International Security graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international security from University Of Akron Main Campus
University Of North Georgia earned the #18 position for international security this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Dahlonega. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 international security students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Georgia in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,564 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full international security program report for University Of North Georgia
Fairmont State University placed #19 among the best international security schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Fairmont. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Fairmont State University awarded about 50 international security degrees in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $35,925 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
See the full international security program report for Fairmont State University
Bellevue University placed #20 among the best international security schools. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 international security students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international security program make about $61,548 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete this degree.
See the full international security program report for Bellevue University
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/international-security/offers.json"
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).