by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Relations National Security](/majors/social-sciences/international-relations-national-security/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a international relations national security degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying international relations national security schools.
What’s on this page:
The international relations national security program you select can have a big impact on your future earnings. To help, we created our Highest Paid International Relations National Security Graduates ranking. It looks at the median early-career salaries graduates earn, so you can find the schools whose international relations national security degrees pay off the most.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Highest Paid International Relations National Security Graduates 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools whose international relations national security graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in international relations national security, no school beat Georgetown University this year. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. International Relations National Security graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of about $119,853 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Johns Hopkins University make a median of around $113,563 per year.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $103,308.
A rank of #4 makes George Mason University one of the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $107,973.
Institute Of World Politics came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Set in the city of Washington, Institute Of World Politics is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Institute Of World Politics typically earn about $101,277 annually.
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George Washington University earned the #6 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from George Washington University typically earn about $109,649 annually.
Tufts University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $104,887.
American University came in at #8 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of American University earn a median of about $101,443 a year early in their careers.
Rice University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Rice University typically earn about $82,320 annually.
University Of Chicago landed the #10 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from University Of Chicago typically earn about $104,862 annually.
Monterey Institute Of International Studies earned the #11 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey, Monterey Institute Of International Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Monterey Institute Of International Studies make a median of around $99,255 per year.
University Of California San Diego placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Early-career international relations national security graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $97,237 per year.
Troy University landed the #13 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Troy University is a public school located in the town of Troy. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Troy University typically earn about $79,581 annually.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #14 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of about $79,569 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arizona landed the #15 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of about $75,863 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. Early-career international relations national security graduates from Texas A And M University College Station make a median of around $95,618 per year.
Syracuse University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international relations national security schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of about $97,274 a year early in their careers.
Norwich University came in at #18 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Norwich University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from Norwich University typically earn about $87,173 annually.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #19 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $91,960.
Seton Hall University came in at #20 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,789.
New York University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $86,077.
St Marys University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for international relations national security. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international relations national security degree recipients from St Marys University typically earn about $88,214 annually.
Webster University landed the #23 spot for international relations national security salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Webster University earn a median of about $73,410 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #24 for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. International Relations National Security graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $68,957 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #25 position for international relations national security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public institution. Students who complete the international relations national security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,588.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid international relations national security ranking:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries international relations national security graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 39 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.