Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
William & Mary, University of Virginia and James Madison University are the top bachelor's International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Virginia by graduate earnings. William & Mary leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $47,270, College Scorecard. George Mason University, Liberty University and University of Virginia award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Virginia: 252, 132 and 131 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 Virginia colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies and award 898 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 9 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 | William & Mary Williamsburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,270 | 87 | 89% | — | $21,000 |
| 2 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,870 | 131 | 96% | — | $20,672 |
| 3 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,667 | 41 | 80% | — | $18,460 |
| 4 | George Mason University Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,644 | 252 | 68% | — | $23,000 |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,638 | 101 | 86% | — | $21,500 |
| 6 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,429 | 62 | 76% | — | $21,500 |
| 7 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,567 | 132 | 65% | $28,911 | $21,750 |
| 8 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,581 | 20 | 46% | — | $25,750 |
| 9 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,357 | 14 | 66% | — | $25,086 |
Colleges awarding the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Virginia
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 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 252 | $44,644 |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 132 | $43,567 |
| 3 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 131 | $46,870 |
| 4 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 101 | $44,638 |
| 5 | William & Mary Williamsburg Public | 87 | $47,270 |
| 6 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington Public | 62 | $44,429 |
| 7 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 41 | $44,667 |
| 8 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 20 | $33,581 |
| 9 | Regent University Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg Public | 14 | $30,357 |
ShowHide the other 9 Virginia colleges offering International Relations and National Security Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampden-Sydney College | Hampden-Sydney | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Hollins University | Roanoke | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Roanoke College | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Hampton University | Hampton | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Mary Baldwin University | Staunton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Bridgewater College | Bridgewater | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Marymount University | Arlington | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees?+
George Mason University (252 graduates a year), Liberty University (132 graduates a year) and University of Virginia (131 graduates a year) award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 Virginia colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies.
What is the best college for International Relations and National Security Studies in Virginia?+
By graduate earnings, William & Mary leads among bachelor's International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Virginia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $47,270, College Scorecard. University of Virginia and James Madison University follow. By degrees awarded, George Mason University is the largest, with 252 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which International Relations and National Security Studies program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, William & Mary tops the list at $47,270. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card