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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in the New England Region

18 Colleges in the United States
1,310 International Relations & National Security Degrees Awarded
$58,356 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools to find the best for international relations & national security students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for International Relations & National Security in the New England Region

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

Top Schools in International Relations & National Security

1
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in international relations & national security. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 111 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent 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. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Brown University

2
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 146 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data 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. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Harvard University

3
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. 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. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Yale University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the top schools for international relations & national security. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 29 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

5
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

A rank of #5 makes Wellesley College one of the top schools for international relations & national security. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wellesley. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students 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. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Wellesley College earn around $48,902 in the first couple years of their career. Wellesley College graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Wellesley College

6
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University placed #6 among the best international relations & national security schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Tufts University awarded about 302 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Tufts University earn around $63,706 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,375. Get the full international relations & national security details for Tufts University

7
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College placed #7 among the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Middlebury College awarded about 45 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Middlebury College earn around $68,770 in the first couple years of their career. Middlebury College graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Middlebury College

8

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

9
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #9 position for international relations & national security this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 189 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $48,622. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Boston University

10

University Of Rhode Island came in at #10 for international relations & national security this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $52,821 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,432. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Rhode Island

11

Northeastern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Northeastern University awarded about 60 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $60,311 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,125. See the full international relations & national security program report for Northeastern University

12

Salve Regina University placed #12 among the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 19 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at Salve Regina University in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Salve Regina University earn a median of $56,636 early in their careers. Salve Regina University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full international relations & national security details for Salve Regina University

13
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven earned the #13 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 13 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of New Haven in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of New Haven earn around $49,615 in the first couple years of their career. University Of New Haven graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from University Of New Haven

14

Southern New Hampshire University ranked #14 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 Manchester. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern New Hampshire University awarded about 36 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $53,211 in their early career. Southern New Hampshire University graduates carry a median of $29,103 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Southern New Hampshire University

15

University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #15 position for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $52,885 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,236. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Massachusetts Boston

16
Norwich University crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT

Norwich University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Norwich University awarded about 76 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Norwich University earn a median of $54,985 early in their careers. Norwich University graduates carry a median of $16,850 in student loans. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Norwich University

17

Suffolk University landed the #17 spot for international relations & national security this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Suffolk University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 23 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Suffolk University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $57,261. Typical student debt for the program is $26,990. Get the full international relations & national security details for Suffolk University

18

University Of Maine earned the #18 position for international relations & national security this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. University Of Maine awarded about 12 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from University Of Maine earn around $35,337 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maine graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Maine

19
New England College crest
New England College
Henniker, NH

New England College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best international relations & national security schools. Set in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. About 21 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at New England College in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from New England College earn around $68,950 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,038. Get the full international relations & national security details for New England College

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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 · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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