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Best Schools for International Relations and National Security Studies

International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn a median of $36,222 within two years of graduation, ranking #139 out of 292 tracked majors — 2% above the median across all fields. There are 135 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 6,326 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Stanford University graduates earn $58,221 while University of Scranton graduates earn $20,140 — a $38,081 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: International Relations and National Security Studies graduates see an average 4% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

135
Schools
$36,222
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#139
of 292 Majors
6,326
Graduates

Public vs Private: International Relations and National Security Studies

Public (62 schools)
$33,750
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (71 schools)
$37,948
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $4,198 more in early earnings on average for International Relations and National Security Studies graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

International Relations and National Security Studies by State

California
14 schools
$39,729
New York
11 schools
$36,894
Virginia
10 schools
$36,813
Pennsylvania
9 schools
$40,900
Massachusetts
7 schools
$40,238
Illinois
7 schools
$33,585
Florida
7 schools
$31,909
Georgia
6 schools
$35,175

Top International Relations and National Security Studies Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
S

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

$58,221
2yr Earnings
1yr: $60,442
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 3.9%
#2
M

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Monterey, CA ·

$55,964
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,313
Grads: 23
Acceptance: N/A
#3
B

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

$55,964
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,905
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 32.0%
#4
M

Middlebury College

Middlebury, VT · Private

$55,964
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,313
Grads: 23
Acceptance: 10.4%
#5
U

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$55,547
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 5.9%
#6
C

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · Private

$53,775
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 11.9%
#7
Y

Yale University

New Haven, CT · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $69,045
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 4.5%
#8
J

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD · Private

$50,231
2yr Earnings
1yr: $57,526
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 7.6%
#9
B

Brown University

Providence, RI · Private

$50,105
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,882
Grads: 41
Acceptance: 5.2%
#10
D

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA · Private

$48,823
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 43.1%
#11
G

Georgetown University

Washington, DC · Private

$48,752
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,920
Grads: 139
Acceptance: 13.1%
#12
L

Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Private

$48,198
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,229
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 31.5%
#13
T

Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private

$48,139
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,957
Grads: 86
Acceptance: 10.1%
#14
C

California State University Maritime Academy

Vallejo, CA · Public

$47,394
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,865
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 98.7%
#15
F

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT · Private

$47,260
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 45.0%
#16
A

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV ·

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,980
Grads: 59
Acceptance: N/A
#17
G

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA · Public

$46,478
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 16.5%
#18
N

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$46,087
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,450
Grads: 23
Acceptance: 7.1%
#19
H

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY · Private

$46,087
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 11.8%
#20
G

George Washington University

Washington, DC · Private

$45,997
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,627
Grads: 394
Acceptance: 43.5%
#21
W

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private

$45,696
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,417
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 90.0%
#22
M

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA · Private

$45,696
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,377
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 38.3%
#23
W

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · Public

$45,383
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,636
Grads: 57
Acceptance: 32.7%
#24
M

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

$44,170
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,937
Grads: 107
Acceptance: 83.9%
#25
U

University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Durham, NH · Public

$44,170
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,914
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 86.9%
#26
N

Northeastern University Oakland

Oakland, CA · Private

$44,021
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,014
Grads: 74
Acceptance: 16.5%
#27
N

Northeastern University

Boston, MA · Private

$44,021
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,014
Grads: 74
Acceptance: 5.7%
#28
U

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public

$43,674
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,350
Grads: 131
Acceptance: 16.9%
#29
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$42,884
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,625
Grads: 148
Acceptance: 10.0%
#30
A

American University

Washington, DC · Private

$42,469
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,948
Grads: 472
Acceptance: 47.4%
#31
L

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private

$42,123
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 29.3%
#32
R

Roger Williams University

Bristol, RI · Private

$41,565
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 87.8%
#33
E

Emory University

Atlanta, GA · Private

$41,342
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,984
Grads: 40
Acceptance: 11.1%
#34
S

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, NY · Private

$41,193
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 22.9%
#35
F

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

$40,821
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,642
Grads: 113
Acceptance: 56.3%
#36
L

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA · Private

$40,467
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,248
Grads: 29
Acceptance: 99.3%
#37
C

Connecticut College

New London, CT · Private

$39,729
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,217
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 38.3%
#38
M

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 91.3%
#39
B

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT · Private

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,006
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 69.2%
#40
V

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA · Public

$39,305
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,302
Grads: 73
Acceptance: 81.7%
#41
S

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,835
Grads: 87
Acceptance: 96.2%
#42
C

CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,183
Grads: 59
Acceptance: 58.1%
#43
G

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

$38,889
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,409
Grads: 164
Acceptance: 88.8%
#44
V

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

$38,878
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,039
Grads: 69
Acceptance: 57.0%
#45
B

Boston University

Boston, MA · Private

$38,797
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,920
Grads: 185
Acceptance: 10.8%
#46
N

Norwich University

Northfield, VT · Private

$38,721
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,996
Grads: 29
Acceptance: 73.6%
#47
U

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,959
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 46.8%
#48
W

Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Norton, MA · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 71.3%
#49
B

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 80.6%
#50
U

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,596
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 61.5%

Showing top 50 of 135 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Security Science and Technology $36,706 Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies $36,694 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) $36,560 Legal Professions and Studies, Other $36,382 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other $36,265 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other $36,047

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for International Relations and National Security Studies?
Stanford University ranks #1 for International Relations and National Security Studies with median graduate earnings of $58,221 within two years. There are 135 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn?
International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn an average of $36,222 within two years of graduation. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $20,140 to $58,221 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top International Relations and National Security Studies program?
The average acceptance rate across International Relations and National Security Studies programs is 59.3%. The most selective program is at Stanford University with a 3.9% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for International Relations and National Security Studies?
Private International Relations and National Security Studies programs average $37,948 in early earnings vs $33,750 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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