Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Chicago, DePaul University and Wheaton College award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Illinois: 121, 54 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Illinois colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies and award 228 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,084 | 25 | 85% | $23,461 | $23,875 |
| 2 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,792 | 54 | 68% | $28,141 | $21,250 |
| 3 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,682 | 10 | 73% | $33,454 | $21,500 |
Colleges awarding the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 121 | Not reported |
| 2 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 54 | $35,792 |
| 3 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit | 25 | $40,084 |
| 4 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 10 | $32,682 |
| 5 | Lake Forest College Lake Forest Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 6 | Knox College Galesburg Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 7 | Lewis University Romeoville Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 8 | McKendree University Lebanon Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 9 | Principia College Elsah Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 10 | Roosevelt University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Illinois colleges offering International Relations and National Security Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican University | River Forest | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Saint Xavier University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees?+
University of Chicago (121 graduates a year), DePaul University (54 graduates a year) and Wheaton College (25 graduates a year) award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Illinois colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies.
Which International Relations and National Security Studies program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Wheaton College tops the list at $40,084. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Political Scientists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in Illinois is $104,460 (median $103,780), across about 110 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card