2026 Best International Security Schools in North Carolina

International Security programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools to find the best for international security students.

What’s on this page:

• Best International Security Schools in North Carolina

Best Schools for International Security in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international security education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in International Security

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

20 International Security Degrees Awarded

$71,278 Median Starting Salary

No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for international security. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 20 international security degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international security program make about $71,278 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296. See the full international security program report for Duke University

2

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

14 International Security Degrees Awarded

$51,931 Median Starting Salary

East Carolina University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international security, landing the #2 spot this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 international security students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international security degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Typical student debt for the program is $24,747. See the full international security program report for East Carolina University

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 3 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.