2026 Best International Relations National Security Schools
Looking for the best International Relations National Security programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 449 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 International Relations National Security Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Claremont Mckenna College earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Set in Claremont, CA, Claremont Mckenna College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $67,980 in tuition and fees. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $12,000. Get the full Claremont Mckenna College report
A rank of #2 makes Rice University one of the top choices in the United States. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Rice University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $11,904 in debt. More on Rice University
The strong International Relations National Security programs at Duke University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. See the full Duke University profile
The strong International Relations National Security programs at Stanford University earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Get the full Stanford University report
The strong International Relations National Security programs at Harvard University earned it the #5 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Get the full Harvard University report
Johns Hopkins University placed #6 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Yale University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Yale University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. More on Yale University
Pomona College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Pomona College is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,420. See the full Pomona College profile
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $23,529. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $10,470. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Colgate University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Colgate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Hamilton, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $16,286. Get the full Colgate University report
Northwestern University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $19,234. See the full Northwestern University profile
Georgetown University placed #13 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Georgetown University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. Get the full Georgetown University report
Lafayette College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Easton, PA. Lafayette College posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,620 in student loans. Get the full Lafayette College report
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus International Relations National Security students take on a median of $20,672 in debt. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school based in Medford, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. Get the full Tufts University report
Bucknell University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,812. Students borrow a median of $25,951 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Read more about Bucknell University
Carleton College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Carleton College is a private not-for-profit school based in Northfield, MN. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Carleton College International Relations National Security students take on a median of $17,566 in debt. Read the full report on Carleton College
Institute Of World Politics landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Institute Of World Politics is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Get the full Institute Of World Politics report
Denison University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. Denison University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. See the full Denison University profile
Brown University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $12,000. More on Brown University
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #22 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $13,765. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $16,481. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Hamilton College placed #24 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Located in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,960. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $19,000. More on Hamilton College
Wellesley College placed #25 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Located in Wellesley, MA, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $11,075. Read the full report on Wellesley College
Rest of the Top 50 Best International Relations National Security Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
College Of William And Mary ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Set in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Read the full report on College Of William And Mary
University Of California San Diego did well this year, earning the #27 position. This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. More on University Of California San Diego
Emory University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $19,500. Get the full Emory University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Washington University In St Louis landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
George Washington University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. See the full George Washington University profile
Niagara University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Niagara University, NY. Niagara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,345. Graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Read more about Niagara University
Angelo State University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Set in San Angelo, TX, Angelo State University is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $11,066. Get the full Angelo State University report
Roanoke College placed #35 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Based in Salem, VA, Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,068. Graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. Read more about Roanoke College
Villanova University placed #36 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Located in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $26,184. Get the full Villanova University report
Webster University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. See the full Webster University profile
Vassar College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Vassar College is a private not-for-profit school based in Poughkeepsie, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Vassar College International Relations National Security students take on a median of $20,232 in debt. Read more about Vassar College
Gettysburg College placed #39 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Set in Gettysburg, PA, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gettysburg College posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,640. Gettysburg College International Relations National Security students take on a median of $26,309 in debt. Read more about Gettysburg College
Texas Christian University placed #40 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Texas Christian University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $22,960 in debt. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
Hobart William Smith Colleges came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Geneva, NY, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,928. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full Hobart William Smith Colleges profile
Mount St Marys University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Mount St Marys University is a private not-for-profit school based in Emmitsburg, MD. About 65% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,630. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $23,539. Read more about Mount St Marys University
Virginia Military Institute placed #43 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Based in Lexington, VA, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Virginia Military Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Virginia Military Institute International Relations National Security students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read more about Virginia Military Institute
University Of Arizona placed #44 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $21,861. Read more about University Of Arizona
James Madison University did well this year, earning the #45 position. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $18,460 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. See the full James Madison University profile
Middlebury College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Middlebury, VT, Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $15,948. See the full Middlebury College profile
Dickinson College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in Carlisle, PA, Dickinson College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,650. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $19,000. More on Dickinson College
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #48 position. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #49 position. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. University Of Chicago International Relations National Security students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
American University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. American University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $23,250. Get the full American University report
Best International Relations National Security Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best International Relations National Security Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Relations National Security Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Relations National Security Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best International Relations National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best International Relations National Security Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Relations National Security Master’s Degree Schools
- Best International Relations National Security Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 449 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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