2026 Best International Relations & National Security Schools

1

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best international relations & national security schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 639 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $69,394 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Georgetown University

2

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #2. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 111 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $46,284 in their early career. Brown University graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full international relations & national security program report for Brown University

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #3. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 97 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. See the full international relations & national security program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #4. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. Colgate University awarded about 37 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $52,924 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations & national security details for Colgate University

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 87 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $76,166. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Stanford University

6

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for international relations & national security this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 22 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $65,559 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,470. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Pennsylvania

7

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #7 for international relations & national security this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 146 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Harvard University

8

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #8 position for international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 114 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $46,870 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,672 in student loans. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

9

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 117 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Yale University

10

Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 25 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Lafayette College in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Lafayette College earn around $58,433 in the first couple years of their career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $16,620 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Lafayette College

11

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #11 spot for international relations & national security this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 29 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $53,543 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

12

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 868 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $60,277. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Johns Hopkins University

13

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #13 position for international relations & national security this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 156 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $66,182 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Chicago

14

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #14 position for international relations & national security this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $83,560 in their early career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. See the full international relations & national security program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

15

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #15 for international relations & national security this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $60,025 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

16

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #16 spot for international relations & national security this year. 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 relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Auburn University

17

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #17 position for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 127 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $52,262. Students borrow a median of $13,765 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Southern California

18

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #18 for international relations & national security this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

19

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Claremont Mckenna College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Claremont Mckenna College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 20 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Claremont Mckenna College generally make around $66,028. Claremont Mckenna College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Claremont Mckenna College

20

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University earned the #20 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 15 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $75,976 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Cornell University

21

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wellesley. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley College in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Wellesley College

22

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University landed the #22 spot for international relations & national security this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 704 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $61,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for George Washington University

23

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #23 among the best international relations & national security schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 93 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $68,368 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of California San Diego

24

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University landed the #24 spot for international relations & national security this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 302 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $63,706. Students borrow a median of $16,375 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Tufts University

25

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary landed the #25 spot for international relations & national security this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 72 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $47,270 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at College Of William And Mary