Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University and Central Michigan University award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Michigan: 76, 19 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Michigan colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies and award 140 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 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,810 | 76 | 81% | — | $24,766 |
| 2 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,802 | 13 | 59% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,202 | 19 | 67% | — | $19,000 |
Colleges awarding the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Michigan
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 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 76 | $38,810 |
| 2 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public | 19 | $28,202 |
| 3 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant Public | 13 | $35,802 |
| 4 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 5 | Calvin University Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Aquinas College Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 7 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 8 | Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | Northern Michigan University Marquette Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | Alma College Alma Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees?+
Michigan State University (76 graduates a year), Grand Valley State University (19 graduates a year) and Central Michigan University (13 graduates a year) award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Michigan colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies.
Which International Relations and National Security Studies program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Michigan State University tops the list at $38,810. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Political Scientists earn in Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in Michigan is $102,060 (median $86,290), across about 180 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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