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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in New York

18 Colleges in the United States
1,082 International Relations & National Security Degrees Awarded
$51,372 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Relations & National Security degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international relations & national security schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for International Relations & National Security in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international relations & national security education in New York.

Top Schools in International Relations & National Security

1
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations & national security. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 37 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $52,924 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,286. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Colgate University

2

Cornell University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 15 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent 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

3

Students looking for a strong international relations & national security program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. 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. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $80,448. 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

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 225 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of New York University earn a median of $59,814 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897. Get the full international relations & national security details for New York University

5
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

A rank of #5 makes Suny At Albany one of the top schools for international relations & national security. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Suny At Albany

6

University Of Rochester ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Rochester awarded about 14 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $60,865 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of Rochester

7
Excelsior College crest
Excelsior College
Albany, NY

Excelsior College came in at #7 for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Albany, Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit university. Excelsior College awarded about 22 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Excelsior College generally make around $70,677. Students borrow a median of $19,311 to complete this degree. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Excelsior College

8

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 43 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn around $67,588 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,691. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

9
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College placed #9 among the best international relations & national security schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. Vassar College awarded about 22 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Vassar College earn around $31,956 in the first couple years of their career. Vassar College graduates carry a median of $20,232 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Vassar College

10

Fordham University earned the #10 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 99 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $53,681 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,843 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Fordham University

11

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates 56% of students within six years. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice awarded about 36 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn around $43,545 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,678. See the full international relations & national security program report for Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

12
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University landed the #12 spot for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 159 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Syracuse University earn around $62,805 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,443. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Syracuse University

13
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #13 among the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 57 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Cuny City College earn around $30,627 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny City College graduates carry a median of $13,337 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Cuny City College

14
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo came in at #14 for international relations & national security this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Suny At Geneseo in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $36,754 in their early career. Suny At Geneseo graduates carry a median of $21,519 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Suny At Geneseo

15
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College placed #15 among the best international relations & national security schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 12 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Skidmore College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $34,440 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,274. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Skidmore College

16

Hobart William Smith Colleges came in at #16 for international relations & national security this year. Located in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 11 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Hobart William Smith Colleges in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Hobart William Smith Colleges generally make around $40,648. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Hobart William Smith Colleges

17

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from State University Of New York At New Paltz earn around $41,000 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,530. Get the full international relations & national security details for State University Of New York At New Paltz

18
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School landed the #18 spot for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $47,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations & national security details for The New School

19

Suny College At Brockport ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Suny College At Brockport in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $39,724 in their early career. Suny College At Brockport graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Suny College At Brockport

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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