Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
Tufts University, Boston University and Harvard University award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Massachusetts: 278, 243 and 131 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Massachusetts colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies and award 920 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 | Tufts University Medford Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,079 | 278 | 94% | $23,570 | $16,375 |
| 2 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,870 | 243 | 89% | $21,956 | $25,000 |
| 3 | Mount Holyoke College South Hadley Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,306 | 15 | 84% | $26,083 | $18,486 |
Colleges awarding the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Massachusetts
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 | Tufts University Medford Private not-for-profit | 278 | $54,079 |
| 2 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | 243 | $45,870 |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 131 | Not reported |
| 4 | Northeastern University Boston Private not-for-profit | 116 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell Public | 41 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 8 | Suffolk University Boston Private not-for-profit | 20 | Not reported |
| 9 | Mount Holyoke College South Hadley Private not-for-profit | 15 | $26,306 |
| 10 | Wellesley College Wellesley Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Massachusetts colleges offering International Relations and National Security Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon College | Wenham | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | Norton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Simmons University | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Emmanuel College | Boston | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees?+
Tufts University (278 graduates a year), Boston University (243 graduates a year) and Harvard University (131 graduates a year) award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Massachusetts colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies.
Which International Relations and National Security Studies program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Tufts University tops the list at $54,079. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Political Scientists earn in Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in Massachusetts is $139,440 (median $133,930), across about 170 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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