2026 Best International Relations National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best International Relations National Security bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 449 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Claremont Mckenna College this year in the United States. Set in Claremont, CA, Claremont Mckenna College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,980. Claremont Mckenna College International Relations National Security students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read the full report on Claremont Mckenna College
Stanford University came in at #2 on this year's International Relations National Security ranking in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $10,492. Read more about Stanford University
Out of the 449 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Yale University landed the #3 spot. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $14,357. Read the full report on Yale University
The strong International Relations National Security programs at Johns Hopkins University earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Pomona College came in at #5 on this year's International Relations National Security ranking in the United States. Pomona College is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Read the full report on Pomona College
Carnegie Mellon University placed #6 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. 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 run about $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $10,470. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Colgate University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Colgate University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $16,286. Get the full Colgate University report
Northwestern University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Northwestern University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $19,234 in debt. More on Northwestern University
Lafayette College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Easton, PA. Lafayette College posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Graduates carry a median of $16,620 in student loans. Read more about Lafayette College
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus International Relations National Security students take on a median of $20,672 in debt. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about Georgetown University
Bucknell University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewisburg, PA. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. Read more about Bucknell University
Carleton College placed #14 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Carleton College is a private not-for-profit school based in Northfield, MN. Carleton College posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,892. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $17,566. More on Carleton College
Tufts University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Located in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Graduates carry a median of $16,375 in student loans. See the full Tufts University profile
Angelo State University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in San Angelo, TX, Angelo State University is a public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $11,066. Read more about Angelo State University
Denison University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Denison University is a private not-for-profit school based in Granville, OH. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,000. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $25,360. Read the full report on Denison University
Brown University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Brown University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read more about Brown University
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #19 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $13,765. Read more about University Of Southern California
Hamilton College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Based in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,960. Hamilton College International Relations National Security students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. See the full Hamilton College profile
Wellesley College placed #21 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wellesley, MA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Get the full Wellesley College report
College Of William And Mary came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $21,000. Read more about College Of William And Mary
University Of Chicago ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. University Of Chicago International Relations National Security students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Emory University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full Emory University profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $21,500. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best International Relations National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
George Washington University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Read the full report on George Washington University
Washington University In St Louis ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $17,553. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Niagara University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Niagara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Niagara University, NY. Niagara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Niagara University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $26,208 in debt. More on Niagara University
Roanoke College placed #29 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Located in Salem, VA, Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roanoke College posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,068. Students borrow a median of $26,940 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. More on Roanoke College
Vassar College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Poughkeepsie, NY, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Graduates carry a median of $20,232 in student loans. See the full Vassar College profile
Gettysburg College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Located in Gettysburg, PA, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,640. Students borrow a median of $26,309 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Read more about Gettysburg College
Texas Christian University placed #32 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
Hobart William Smith Colleges landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Geneva, NY, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. Hobart William Smith Colleges posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,928. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $26,000. More on Hobart William Smith Colleges
Mount St Marys University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in Emmitsburg, MD, Mount St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,630. Graduates carry a median of $23,539 in student loans. Get the full Mount St Marys University report
Webster University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Read more about Webster University
Virginia Military Institute came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Virginia Military Institute is a public school based in Lexington, VA. About 76% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Virginia Military Institute
James Madison University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. James Madison University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $18,460 in debt. Read the full report on James Madison University
Middlebury College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit school based in Middlebury, VT. Middlebury College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,600. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $15,948. More on Middlebury College
American University placed #39 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. American University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Read the full report on American University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus International Relations National Security students take on a median of $24,323 in debt. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report
Dickinson College placed #41 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Dickinson College is a private not-for-profit school based in Carlisle, PA. Dickinson College posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full Dickinson College report
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #42 position. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $24,766. See the full Michigan State University profile
Occidental College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 81% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,274. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $19,275. See the full Occidental College profile
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wheaton, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $23,875. Get the full Wheaton College Illinois report
The College Of New Jersey ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. The College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Ewing, NJ. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $24,952. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
University Of Georgia landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $19,500. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
University Of Minnesota Duluth did well this year, earning the #47 position. This public school is set in Duluth, MN. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $24,624. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Duluth
Marquette University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,170. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $20,750. Get the full Marquette University report
Linfield College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in McMinnville, OR, Linfield College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $51,736. Graduates carry a median of $27,455 in student loans. More on Linfield College
Saint Anselm College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Located in Manchester, NH, Saint Anselm College is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Anselm College posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,920. Graduates carry a median of $26,863 in student loans. Read more about Saint Anselm College
Related International Relations National Security Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best International Relations National Security Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Relations National Security Master’s Degree Schools
- Best International Relations National Security Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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