Best institutions to study International Relations and National Security Studies
Compare 359 U.S. colleges offering International Relations and National Security Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
International Relations and National Security Studies programs report a median of $38,250 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 45.09 and the Political Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About International Relations and National Security Studies programs
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 security issues and the policies that govern them, making it ideal for those pursuing careers in diplomacy, defense, or international organizations.
Learn more about International Relations and National Security Studies →
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in law and government, history, and international relations, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to analyze and address contemporary security challenges.
Top 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,312 | 16 | 86% | $30,675 | — |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,166 | 107 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 3 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $71,278 | 57 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 4 | Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey Monterey, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,344 | 53 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,344 | 51 | 91% | $20,918 | — |
| 6 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,559 | 36 | 97% | $22,055 | $10,470 |
| 7 | Lafayette College Easton, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,433 | 21 | 88% | $20,396 | $16,620 |
| 8 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,079 | 278 | 94% | $23,570 | $16,375 |
| 9 | Angelo State University San Angelo, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,246 | 104 | 44% | — | $11,066 |
| 10 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,933 | 720 | 84% | $29,789 | $22,000 |
| 11 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,262 | 135 | 92% | $26,873 | $13,765 |
| 12 | University of San Diego San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,948 | 44 | 84% | $26,035 | $24,100 |
| 13 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,588 | 597 | 95% | $22,242 | $17,500 |
| 14 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,563 | 26 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 15 | Fairfield University Fairfield, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,239 | 9 | 84% | $36,845 | $27,000 |
| 16 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,142 | 10 | 57% | $10,199 | $13,410 |
| 17 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,956 | 47 | 86% | $33,106 | $20,500 |
| 18 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,551 | 686 | 75% | $30,225 | $23,250 |
| 19 | William & Mary Williamsburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,270 | 87 | 89% | — | $21,000 |
| 20 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,870 | 131 | 96% | — | $20,672 |
| 21 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,868 | 61 | 68% | $38,461 | $22,901 |
| 22 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,653 | 110 | 82% | $38,931 | $25,843 |
| 23 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,284 | 110 | 96% | $14,644 | $12,000 |
| 24 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,870 | 243 | 89% | $21,956 | $25,000 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,858 | 97 | 86% | — | $25,000 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,858 | 35 | 34% | — | $25,000 |
| 27 | Connecticut College New London, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,543 | 10 | 82% | $27,183 | $25,855 |
| 28 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,440 | 79 | 69% | $27,376 | $22,500 |
| 29 | Hamilton College Clinton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,332 | 16 | 91% | $20,680 | $19,000 |
| 30 | Emory University Atlanta, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,022 | 19 | 91% | $20,586 | $19,500 |
| 31 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,667 | 41 | 80% | — | $18,460 |
| 32 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,644 | 252 | 68% | — | $23,000 |
| 33 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,638 | 101 | 86% | — | $21,500 |
| 34 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,429 | 62 | 76% | — | $21,500 |
| 35 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,004 | 872 | 94% | $11,888 | $12,000 |
| 36 | Norwich University Northfield, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,621 | 75 | 60% | $23,982 | $16,850 |
| 37 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,567 | 132 | 65% | $28,911 | $21,750 |
| 38 | University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,564 | 25 | 37% | — | $20,500 |
| 39 | Wofford College Spartanburg, SC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,428 | 12 | 84% | $24,459 | $21,375 |
| 40 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,290 | 18 | 83% | $25,376 | $20,750 |
| 41 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,249 | 166 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,635 |
| 42 | Cal Poly Maritime Academy Vallejo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,924 | 1 | 60% | — | $26,000 |
| 43 | University of Denver Denver, CO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,923 | 182 | 76% | $29,726 | $19,500 |
| 44 | Hobart William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,648 | 12 | 77% | $22,374 | $26,000 |
| 45 | Wheaton College Wheaton, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,084 | 25 | 85% | $23,461 | $23,875 |
| 46 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,630 | 9 | 77% | $32,060 | $26,113 |
| 47 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,275 | 200 | 90% | — | $19,500 |
| 48 | Towson University Towson, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,208 | 11 | 69% | — | $25,000 |
| 49 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,060 | 7 | 63% | — | $15,095 |
| 50 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,810 | 76 | 81% | — | $24,766 |
Offered across 50 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3094, Political Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the International Relations and National Security Studies program can pursue a variety of careers in political science, government, and security analysis. While the job outlook indicates a decline of 3.1%, there are approximately 500 annual openings, with a median wage of $139,380. A master's degree is typically required for advancement in this field.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for International Relations and National Security Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.09.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.09 (International Relations and National Security Studies) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3094 | Political Scientistsprimary |
| 25-1065 | Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in International Relations and National Security Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Teach political science.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Advise political science students.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
Concentrations within International Relations and National Security Studies
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- International Relations and AffairsCIP 45.0901
A program that focuses on the systematic study of international politics and institutions, and the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy
- National Security Policy StudiesCIP 45.0902
A program that focuses on the theory and application of intelligence, diplomacy, military power, and related tools of statecraft to national defense policy formulation and power projection
- International Relations and National Security Studies, OtherCIP 45.0999
Any instructional program in international relations and national security studies not listed above.
Common questions
What is the focus of the International Relations and National Security Studies program?+
The program focuses on organized violence, military conflict, and national security within the broader field of international relations.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will enhance skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and effective communication.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
While job growth is projected to decline by 3.1%, there are about 500 annual openings with a median wage of $139,380.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
A master's degree is typically required for advancement in international relations and national security careers.
How much do International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn?+
International Relations and National Security Studies graduates report median earnings of $38,250 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Political Scientists occupation pays about $142,510 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for International Relations and National Security Studies?+
International Relations and National Security Studies maps to CIP 45.09 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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