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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Relations & National Security Schools in Massachusetts

10 Colleges in the United States
845 International Relations & National Security Degrees Awarded
$60,843 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Relations & National Security degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 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 Massachusetts

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

Top Schools in International Relations & National Security

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University tops our 2026 ranking of the best international relations & national security schools. 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. About 146 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $95,207 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Harvard University

2

Students looking for a strong international relations & national security program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #2. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 29 international relations & national security students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data 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. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Read more about the international relations & national security program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

3
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international relations & national security, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wellesley. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $48,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Wellesley College

4
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Students looking for a strong international relations & national security program will find one at Tufts University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 302 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent 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. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Tufts University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Lowell one of the top schools for international relations & national security. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 53 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $67,146. Typical student debt for the program is $25,574. Get the full international relations & national security details for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

6
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #6 spot for international relations & national security this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 189 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. International Relations & National Security graduates of Boston University earn a median of $48,622 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international relations & national security from Boston University

7

Northeastern University placed #7 among the best international relations & national security schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 60 international relations & national security degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international relations & national security degree from Northeastern University earn around $60,311 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,125. Read more about the international relations & national security program at Northeastern University

8

University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #8 position for international relations & national security this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 24 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international relations & national security program make about $52,885 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete this degree. See the full international relations & national security program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston

9

Suffolk University placed #9 among the best international relations & national security schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Suffolk University awarded about 23 international relations & national security degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international relations & national security degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $57,261. Students borrow a median of $26,990 to complete this degree. Get the full international relations & national security details for Suffolk University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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