2026 Best International Security Schools in California

International Security is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international security programs.

College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international security schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best International Security Schools in California

Best Schools for International Security in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the international security degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in International Security

1

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

43 International Security Degrees Awarded

$49,617 Median Starting Salary

Leading the list is San Diego State University, our #1 school for international security. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 43 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from San Diego State University earn around $49,617 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,134. Read more about the international security program at San Diego State University

2

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

11 International Security Degrees Awarded

$42,421 Median Starting Salary

California State University San Bernardino is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international security, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 11 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $42,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete this degree. Read more about the international security program at California State University San Bernardino

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 4 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.