Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in Maryland
Ranked by graduate earnings
Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland-College Park and Towson University award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Maryland: 872, 26 and 11 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Maryland colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies and award 935 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 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,004 | 872 | 94% | $11,888 | $12,000 |
| 2 | Towson University Towson Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,208 | 11 | 69% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | Goucher College Baltimore Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,868 | 2 | 57% | $22,667 | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Maryland
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 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Private not-for-profit | 872 | $44,004 |
| 2 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park Public | 26 | Not reported |
| 3 | Towson University Towson Public | 11 | $39,208 |
| 4 | University of Baltimore Baltimore Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 6 | Capitol Technology University Laurel Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 7 | Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | Goucher College Baltimore Private not-for-profit | 2 | $25,868 |
| 9 | Washington College Chestertown Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | Morgan State University Baltimore Public | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Maryland
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Maryland.
Which Maryland colleges award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees?+
Johns Hopkins University (872 graduates a year), University of Maryland-College Park (26 graduates a year) and Towson University (11 graduates a year) award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Maryland, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Maryland colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies.
Which International Relations and National Security Studies program in Maryland has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Johns Hopkins University tops the list at $44,004. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Political Scientists earn in Maryland?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in Maryland is $148,440 (median $153,380), across about 100 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.
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