2026 Best International Relations & National Security Master’s Degree Schools

1

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for international relations & national security. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 350 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Georgetown University earn around $88,199 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Georgetown University

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins 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 Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 681 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $76,550 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full international relations & national security details for Johns Hopkins University

3

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for a strong international relations & national security program will find one at Harvard University, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 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. See the full international relations & national security program report for Harvard University

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #4 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for international relations & national security. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $76,166 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full international relations & national security program report for Stanford University

5

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #5 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 45 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Yale University

6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #6 position for international relations & national security this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 41 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $60,025. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for international relations & national security this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 17 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

8

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #8 among the best international relations & national security schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 302 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $70,707. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for George Washington University

9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #9 spot 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. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 17 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

10

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #10 for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. See the full international relations & national security program report for Cornell University

11

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $71,278. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for Duke University

12

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #12 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. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 46 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent 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. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Chicago

13

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #13 for international relations & national security this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 87 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $68,368 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of California San Diego

14

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #14 position for international relations & national security this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 266 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $80,448 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Columbia University In The City Of New York

15

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #15 for international relations & national security this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 15 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National 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. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Missouri Columbia

16

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #16 among the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 62 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $61,625 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275. See the full international relations & national security program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

17

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #17 among the best international relations & national security schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

18

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #18 for international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 195 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 $73,332. Typical student debt for the program is $16,375. Get the full international relations & national security details for Tufts University

19

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #19 spot for international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 18 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $57,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Maryland College Park

20

American University
Washington, DC

American University placed #20 among the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 383 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $69,872 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at American University

21

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #21 for international relations & national security this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $39,275 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Georgia

22

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #22 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $62,266. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Texas A And M University College Station

23

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #23 for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Rice University earn around $82,320 in the first couple years of their career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Rice University

24

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #24 for international relations & national security this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $67,146 early in their careers. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

25

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University earned the #25 position for international relations & national security this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 106 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from George Mason University earn around $73,385 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from George Mason University