Best International Relations and National Security Studies institutions in California, ranked by earnings
The International Relations and National Security Studies program focuses on the complex interactions between nations, organized violence, and military conflict. This program is designed for students interested in understanding global…
Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,166 | 87 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 2 | Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey Monterey Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,344 | 48 | — | — | — |
| 3 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,262 | 127 | 92% | $26,873 | $13,765 |
| 4 | University of San Diego San Diego Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,948 | 48 | 84% | $26,035 | $24,100 |
| 5 | California State University - Chico Chico Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,060 | 7 | 63% | — | $15,095 |
| 6 | University of San Francisco San Francisco Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,669 | 29 | 70% | $37,121 | $24,508 |
| 7 | San Diego State University San Diego Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,361 | 70 | 76% | — | $17,134 |
| 8 | Occidental College Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,231 | 26 | 81% | $28,024 | $19,275 |
| 9 | University of California - Davis Davis Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,949 | 94 | 86% | — | $12,416 |
| 10 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,575 | 37 | 79% | $36,488 | $20,500 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in California.
Which International Relations and National Security Studies program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Stanford University tops the list at $76,166. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Political Scientists earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in California is $132,240 (median $130,630), across about 50 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
What is the focus of the International Relations and National Security Studies program?+
The International Relations and National Security Studies program focuses on the complex interactions between nations, organized violence, and military conflict. This program is designed for students interested in understanding global…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Political Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about -3.1% growth with around 500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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