2026 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Our analysis ranked University Of Chicago the best school in the country for a degree in international relations & national security. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Chicago awarded about 156 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Chicago earn around $66,182 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Chicago

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international relations & national security, ranking #2. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 13 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the top schools for international relations & national security. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 106 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $38,584. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Ohio State University Main Campus

4

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the top schools for international relations & national security. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 98 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $38,810 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,766 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Michigan State University

5

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 20 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $43,290 early in their careers. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Marquette University

6

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #6 among the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 121 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $56,110 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Indiana University Bloomington

7

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford earned the #7 position for international relations & national security this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $38,766 in the first couple years of their career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $21,977 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Miami University Oxford

8

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #8 spot for international relations & national security this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. About 36% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Typical student debt for the program is $24,119. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #9 spot for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $32,543 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,625. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

10

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #10 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 18 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $40,084. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Wheaton College Illinois

11

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago landed the #11 spot for international relations & national security this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $32,682 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations & national security details for Loyola University Chicago

12

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #12 for international relations & national security this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 42 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $41,610 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. Get the full international relations & national security details for Depaul University

13

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Akron Main Campus earn around $49,045 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Akron Main Campus

14

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #14 among the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $28,202 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Grand Valley State University

15

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland State University in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $31,434 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. Get the full international relations & national security details for Cleveland State University

16

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University earned the #16 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Oakland University awarded about 12 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Oakland University

17

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #17 position for international relations & national security this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 12 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $44,776 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Kent State University At Kent

18

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #18 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Central Michigan University awarded about 22 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $35,802. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Central Michigan University