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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Security Master’s Degree Schools

12 Colleges in the United States
405 International Security Degrees Awarded
$59,593 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Security degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international security programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools to find the best for international security students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for International Security in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in international security, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in International Security

1

Our analysis ranked Johns Hopkins University the best school in the country for a degree in international security. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 international security students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international security program make about $76,550 in their early career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the international security program at Johns Hopkins University

2
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best international security schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 20 international security degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international security degree from Duke University earn around $71,278 in the first couple years of their career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. More information about a degree in international security from Duke University

3

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international security, ranking #3. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 15 international security degrees in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. Get the full international security details for University Of Missouri Columbia

4

Students looking for a strong international security program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 53 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $67,146. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. More information about a degree in international security from University Of Massachusetts Lowell

5

Students looking for a strong international security program will find one at East Carolina University, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 14 international security degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. International Security graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete this degree. Get the full international security details for East Carolina University

6

San Diego State University came in at #6 for international security this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish 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 $63,873. Typical student debt for the program is $17,134. Read more about the international security program at San Diego State University

7

California State University San Bernardino ranked #7 on our 2026 list of 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%. About 11 international security degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. International Security graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,149. See the full international security program report for California State University San Bernardino

8
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #8 spot for international security this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 60 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $54,227. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750. See the full international security program report for Liberty University

9
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best international security schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 international security students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from Syracuse University earn around $60,384 in the first couple years of their career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $24,443 in student loans. Get the full international security details for Syracuse University

10

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #10 spot for international security this year. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 21 international security students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from The University Of Texas At El Paso earn around $79,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,819. Get the full international security details for The University Of Texas At El Paso

11
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University placed #11 among the best international security schools. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. Angelo State University awarded about 50 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from Angelo State University earn around $60,519 in the first couple years of their career. Angelo State University graduates carry a median of $11,066 in student loans. See the full international security program report for Angelo State University

12

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #12 among the best international security schools. This large public university is located in the city of Akron. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 11 international security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international security program make about $49,045 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,347. Read more about the international security program at University Of Akron Main Campus

13
Norwich University crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT

Norwich University landed the #13 spot for international security this year. Set in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 international security students who graduated with this degree at Norwich University in the most recent data year. International Security graduates of Norwich University earn a median of $66,348 early in their careers. Norwich University graduates carry a median of $16,850 in student loans. More information about a degree in international security from Norwich University

14
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University placed #14 among the best international security schools. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Bellevue University graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 international security students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international security degree from Bellevue University earn around $61,548 in the first couple years of their career. Bellevue University graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. See the full international security program report for Bellevue University

15

Fairmont State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best international security schools. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fairmont State University awarded about 19 international security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $35,925. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. See the full international security program report for Fairmont State University

Other International Security Degree Levels

Explore the best international security schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in International Security
Associate's Degrees in International Security
Bachelor's Degrees in International Security
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View All International Security Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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