Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Pennsylvania, Lafayette College and Pennsylvania State University are the top bachelor's International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. University of Pennsylvania leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $65,559, College Scorecard. Pennsylvania State University, University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Pennsylvania: 97, 36 and 31 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 28 Pennsylvania colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies and award 354 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 7 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 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,559 | 36 | 97% | $22,055 | $10,470 |
| 2 | Lafayette College Easton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,433 | 21 | 88% | $20,396 | $16,620 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,858 | 97 | 86% | — | $25,000 |
| 4 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,147 | 26 | 88% | $26,912 | $21,250 |
| 5 | Bucknell University Lewisburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $77,312 | 16 | 86% | $30,675 | — |
| 6 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,630 | 9 | 77% | $32,060 | $26,113 |
| 7 | Allegheny College Meadville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $24,303 | 4 | 73% | $18,524 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Pennsylvania
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 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 97 | $45,858 |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 36 | $65,559 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 31 | Not reported |
| 4 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 26 | $36,147 |
| 5 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 6 | Lafayette College Easton Private not-for-profit | 21 | $58,433 |
| 7 | Bucknell University Lewisburg Private not-for-profit | 16 | $77,312 |
| 8 | Dickinson College Carlisle Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 9 | $39,630 |
| 10 | Lebanon Valley College Annville Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 18 Pennsylvania colleges offering International Relations and National Security Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (Online) | University Park | Public | 35 |
| La Salle University | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Villanova University | Villanova | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Allegheny College | Meadville | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Muhlenberg College | Allentown | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| University of Scranton | Scranton | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Susquehanna University | Selinsgrove | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Ursinus College | Collegeville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana | Public | 2 |
| Juniata College | Huntingdon | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Wilkes University | Wilkes-Barre | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Immaculata University | Immaculata | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| La Roche University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | Bradford | Public | 1 |
| Widener University | Chester | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees?+
Pennsylvania State University (97 graduates a year), University of Pennsylvania (36 graduates a year) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (31 graduates a year) award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 28 Pennsylvania colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies.
What is the best college for International Relations and National Security Studies in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, University of Pennsylvania leads among bachelor's International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $65,559, College Scorecard. Lafayette College and Pennsylvania State University follow. By degrees awarded, Pennsylvania State University is the largest, with 97 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which International Relations and National Security Studies program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Pennsylvania tops the list at $65,559. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Political Scientists earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in Pennsylvania is $136,350 (median $140,020), across about 70 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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