Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
Rhodes College, Middle Tennessee State University and King University award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees and certificates in Tennessee: 18, 14 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Tennessee colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies and award 58 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 institution, 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 | Rhodes College Memphis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,835 | 18 | 85% | $19,854 | $22,072 |
Colleges awarding the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Tennessee
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | Rhodes College Memphis Private not-for-profit | 18 | $23,835 |
| 2 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 3 | King University Bristol Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 5 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 6 | Belmont University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 8 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees?+
Rhodes College (18 graduates a year), Middle Tennessee State University (14 graduates a year) and King University (10 graduates a year) award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees and certificates in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Tennessee colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies.
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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