Best institutions to study International Relations and Affairs
A program that focuses on the systematic study of international politics and institutions, and the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy.
323 U.S. institutions graduated 10,435 International Relations and Affairs students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.0901, a specialization of International Relations and National Security Studies (CIP 45.09), and leads most directly to the Political Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3094).
About International Relations and Affairs programs
A program that focuses on the systematic study of international politics and institutions, and the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy. Includes instruction in international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, international law and organization, the comparative study of specific countries and regions, and the theory and practice of diplomacy.
See also: 30.2001 - International/Globalization Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The International Relations and Affairs program offers students a comprehensive understanding of international politics, diplomacy, and foreign policy. It is designed for individuals interested in exploring the dynamics of global interactions and the institutions that govern them. This program is ideal for those aspiring to work in government, non-profits, or international organizations.
Students will gain core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, and international law, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to navigate complex global issues.
Credentials awarded
What International Relations and Affairs graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6,361 graduates / yr · 270 institutions61%
- Master's degree3,613 graduates / yr · 83 institutions35%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate286 graduates / yr · 14 institutions2.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship61 graduates / yr · 12 institutions0.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year51 graduates / yr · 8 institutions0.5%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice22 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years21 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.2%
- Associate's degree20 graduates / yr · 9 institutions0.2%
Graduates over time
International Relations and Affairs completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 14,625 |
| 2013 | 14,698 |
| 2014 | 14,077 |
| 2015 | 13,545 |
| 2016 | 13,300 |
| 2017 | 13,077 |
| 2018 | 12,943 |
| 2019 | 13,047 |
| 2020 | 12,614 |
| 2021 | 12,093 |
| 2022 | 11,527 |
| 2023 | 11,867 |
| 2024 | 10,840 |
| 2025 | 10,435 |
Top 50 institutions for International Relations and Affairs, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sDoctoral (prof.)Doctoral | 822 | 94% | $11,888 | $44,004 |
| 2 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 720 | 84% | $29,789 | $52,933 |
| 3 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 686 | 75% | $30,225 | $47,551 |
| 4 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 597 | 95% | $22,242 | $50,588 |
| 5 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 278 | 94% | $23,570 | $54,079 |
| 6 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 243 | 86% | — | $32,098 |
| 7 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 234 | 89% | $21,956 | $45,870 |
| 8 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 200 | 90% | — | $39,275 |
| 9 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 190 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 10 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 186 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 11 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 182 | 76% | $29,726 | $40,923 |
| 12 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 174 | 74% | — | $33,417 |
| 13 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 155 | 68% | — | $44,644 |
| 14 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 145 | 84% | $28,851 | $43,249 |
| 15 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 135 | 92% | $26,873 | $52,262 |
| 16 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 131 | 96% | — | $46,870 |
| 17 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 121 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 18 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 117 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 19 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 115 | 86% | — | $34,949 |
| 20 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 112 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 21 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 110 | 82% | $38,931 | $46,653 |
| 22 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 110 | 96% | $14,644 | $46,284 |
| 23 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 108 | 86% | — | — |
| 24 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 107 | 92% | $12,032 | $76,166 |
| 25 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 102 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 26 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 100 | 84% | — | — |
| 27 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 99 | 86% | — | $44,638 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 97 | 86% | — | $45,858 |
| 29 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 90 | 88% | — | $38,584 |
| 30 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 88 | 80% | — | $36,100 |
| 31 | William & Mary Williamsburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 87 | 89% | — | $47,270 |
| 32 | Troy University Troy, ALPublicMaster's | 85 | 50% | — | — |
| 33 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 79 | 69% | $27,376 | $45,440 |
| 34 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 76 | 81% | — | $38,810 |
| 35 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 74 | 0% | — | — |
| 36 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 71 | 65% | $28,911 | $43,567 |
| 37 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 62 | 77% | — | $30,977 |
| 38 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VAPublicBachelor's | 62 | 76% | — | $44,429 |
| 39 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 61 | 68% | $38,461 | $46,868 |
| 40 | Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey Monterey, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 53 | — | — | $68,344 |
| 41 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 50 | 68% | $28,141 | $35,792 |
| 42 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 47 | 86% | $33,106 | $47,956 |
| 43 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 46 | 84% | $26,589 | $31,813 |
| 44 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 45 | 91% | $20,918 | $68,344 |
| 45 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 44 | 84% | $26,035 | $50,948 |
| 46 | CUNY City College New York, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 57% | — | $30,627 |
| 47 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NYPublicMaster's | 42 | 56% | — | — |
| 48 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 41 | 76% | — | $27,021 |
| 49 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 94% | — | — |
| 50 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 41 | 80% | — | $44,667 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader International Relations and National Security Studies field (CIP 45.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 49 states & territories
Where International Relations and Affairs graduates come from. Each state links to all International Relations and National Security Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3094, Political Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as political scientists, with a median wage of $139,380. Although the job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, there are approximately 500 annual openings. A master's degree is typically required for advancement in this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.0901
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Political Scientistsprimary SOC 19-3094 | $142,080 | -3.1% Decline | ~500 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1065 | $98,070 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~1,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in International Relations and Affairs programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other International Relations and National Security Studies specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under International Relations and National Security Studies (CIP 45.09).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, active listening, and communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a political scientist, manager, or political science teacher.
What is the job outlook for political scientists?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with about 500 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for International Relations and Affairs?+
International Relations and Affairs is CIP 45.0901 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within International Relations and National Security Studies (CIP 45.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the systematic study of international politics and institutions, and the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy. Includes instruction in international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, international law and organization, the comparative study of specific countries and regions, and the theory and practice of diplomacy.
How many institutions offer International Relations and Affairs programs?+
323 U.S. institutions reported International Relations and Affairs graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 49 states & territories, awarding 10,435 credentials in the year. That is 87.7% of all International Relations and National Security Studies graduates.
How much do International Relations and Affairs graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Political Scientists occupation, which International Relations and Affairs most directly leads to, pays a median of $142,080 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader International Relations and National Security Studies field report median earnings of $38,250 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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