Master’s Degrees in International Relations & National Security
Education Levels of International Relations Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 5,262 people earned their master's degree in international relations. This makes it the 43rd most popular master's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in international relations at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 8,079 |
| Master’s Degree | 5,262 |
| Graduate Certificate | 558 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 94 |
| Basic Certificate | 77 |
| Associate Degree | 13 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 3 |
Earnings of International Relations Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in international relations is $66,511. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $60,311 and the high is $72,676.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for international relations students who are master's degree holders.
Student Diversity
More men than women pursue master's degrees in international relations. About 50.3% of graduates in this field are male.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 2,645 |
| Women | 2,617 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of international relations master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 353 |
| Black or African American | 339 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 578 |
| White | 2,540 |
| International Students | 1,025 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 427 |
Most Popular International Relations Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 115 colleges that offer a master’s degree in international relations. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Johns Hopkins University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for international relations majors who are seeking their master's degree. Roughly 28,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $62,840 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,840 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 490 people received their master's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins. Around 19% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 45% were women. Johns Hopkins University international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
George Washington University comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in international relations. Each year, around 27,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,508 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $35,100 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 381 people received their master's degree in international relations from GWU. Of these students, 58% were women and 26% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that GWU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $66,511.
Tufts University comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in international relations. Roughly 12,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,358 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $48,324 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 311 people received their master's degree in international relations from Tufts. Around 16% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 51% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in international relations at Tufts University make a median salary of 66,511.
The 4th most popular school in the country for international relations majors who are seeking their master's degree is Georgetown University. Each year, around 19,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,896 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,848 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 283 people received their master's degree in international relations from Georgetown. About 49% of this group were women, and 26% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Georgetown graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $66,511.
American University is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in international relations. Each year, around 14,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $55,724 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $32,224 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 279 people received their master's degree in international relations from The American University. About 58% of this group were women, and 32% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. American University international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
The 6th most popular school in the country for international relations majors who are seeking their master's degree is Naval Postgraduate School. Roughly 2,800 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 193 people received their master's degree in international relations from Naval Postgraduate School. Around 19% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 13% were women. Data shows that Naval Postgraduate School graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $66,511.
The 7th most popular school in the country for international relations majors who are seeking their master's degree is Columbia University in the City of New York. Each year, around 30,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,526 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,576 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 156 people received their master's degree in international relations from Columbia. Around 28% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 62% were women. Columbia University in the City of New York international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
New York University is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in international relations. Roughly 52,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,438 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,826 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 133 people received their master's degree in international relations from NYU. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 61% were women. New York University international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
University of California - San Diego comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in international relations. Roughly 39,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 108 people received their master's degree in international relations from UCSD. Of these students, 48% were women and 36% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in international relations at University of California - San Diego make a median salary of 66,511.
Liberty University is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in international relations. Roughly 93,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 93 people received their master's degree in international relations from Liberty University. About 25% of this group were women, and 38% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Liberty University international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
Texas A&M University - College Station is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in international relations. Roughly 70,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,003 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,885 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 85 people received their master's degree in international relations from Texas A&M College Station. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 56% were women. Texas A&M University - College Station international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
George Mason University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in international relations. Roughly 38,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 76 people received their master's degree in international relations from GMU. Around 26% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 39% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in international relations at George Mason University make a median salary of 66,511.
Syracuse University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in international relations. Roughly 21,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $61,310 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $44,928 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 76 people received their master's degree in international relations from Syracuse. Of these students, 57% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Syracuse University international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
Norwich University is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in international relations. Each year, around 3,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $46,860 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $22,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 74 people received their master's degree in international relations from Norwich. Around 25% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 35% were women. Data shows that Norwich graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $66,511.
Troy University is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in international relations. Each year, around 16,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,792 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,550 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 73 people received their master's degree in international relations from TROY. About 23% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Troy University international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
The 16th most popular school in the country for international relations majors who are seeking their master's degree is Arizona State University - Skysong. Roughly 53,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,170 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 72 people received their master's degree in international relations from ASU - Skysong. Of these students, 39% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that ASU - Skysong graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $66,511.
University of Denver comes in at #17 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in international relations. Each year, around 13,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,032 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 60 people received their master's degree in international relations from DU. About 64% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Denver international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
The 18th most popular school in the country for international relations majors who are seeking their master's degree is Angelo State University. Roughly 10,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,495 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,181 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 56 people received their master's degree in international relations from Angelo State. About 32% of this group were women, and 15% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Angelo State University international relations graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $66,511.
The 18th most popular school in the country for international relations majors who are seeking their master's degree is The University of Texas at Austin. Roughly 50,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 56 people received their master's degree in international relations from UT Austin. About 56% of this group were women, and 32% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UT Austin graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $66,511.
Harvard University comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in international relations. Each year, around 30,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,269 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 54 people received their master's degree in international relations from Harvard. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 58% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in international relations at Harvard University make a median salary of 66,511.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to international relations that offer master’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Economics | 5,317 |
| Political Science & Government | 2,000 |
| General Social Sciences | 1,618 |
| Sociology | 1,358 |
| Geography & Cartography | 1,193 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By RepubFan12 under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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