Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Eastern Washington University and Gonzaga University award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees and certificates in Washington: 11, 6 and 6 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Washington colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies and award 28 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 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,176 | 4 | 68% | $35,057 | $25,798 |
Colleges awarding the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees in Washington
Top 5 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 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 2 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 3 | Gonzaga University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 4 | $28,176 |
| 5 | Whitworth University Spokane Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing International Relations and National Security Studies programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees?+
University of Washington-Seattle Campus (11 graduates a year), Eastern Washington University (6 graduates a year) and Gonzaga University (6 graduates a year) award the most International Relations and National Security Studies degrees and certificates in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Washington colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies.
How much do Political Scientists earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Political Scientists in Washington is $143,510 (median $147,060), across about 110 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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