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Best International Relations & Security Bachelor's Degree Schools

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2023 Best International Relations & Security Bachelor's Degree Schools

210 Colleges
$35,987 Avg Salary
$21,455 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor's Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, 14,306 people earned a degree or certificate in international relations and national security, making the major the #66 most popular in the United States.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best International Relations & Security Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. This report analyzed 210 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best bachelor's degree programs for students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States

The following schools top our list of the Best International Relations & National Security Bachelor's Degree Colleges.

Top 25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in International Relations & Security

#1

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA

Our analysis found Claremont McKenna College to be the best school for international relations and national security students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the United States. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont McKenna is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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#2

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Stanford University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best international relations and national security schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

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#3

Yale University

New Haven, CT

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Yale University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best international relations and national security schools in the United States. Yale is a large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of New Haven.

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#4

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Johns Hopkins University is a great place for international relations and national security students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Johns Hopkins University

#5

Pomona College

Claremont, CA

Out of the 210 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Pomona College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Pomona is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont.

Full International Relations & National Security at Pomona College Report

#6

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree international relations and national security programs. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

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#7

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

University of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree international relations and national security programs. UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, international relations majors at UPenn accumulate an average of around $16,517 in student debt.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of Pennsylvania

#8

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY

With a ranking of #8, Colgate University did quite well on this year’s best schools for international relations and national security students working on their bachelor’s degree. Colgate is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Hamilton.

Full International Relations & National Security at Colgate University Report

#9

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University ranked #9 on this year’s Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston.

Full International Relations & National Security at Northwestern University Report

#10

Lafayette College

Easton, PA

Lafayette College ranked #10 on this year’s Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

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#11

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

With a ranking of #11, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for international relations and national security students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public college with a very large student population.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, international relations majors at University of Virginia accumulate an average of around $18,391 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $236.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#12

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

Georgetown University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree international relations and national security programs. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $690.

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#13

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full International Relations & National Security at Bucknell University Report

#14

Carleton College

Northfield, MN

Carleton College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the distant town of Northfield, Carleton is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Carleton College

#15

Tufts University

Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

Full International Relations & National Security at Tufts University Report

#16

Angelo State University

San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Angelo State is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo.

The average amount in student loans that international relations majors at Angelo State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $19,527.

Full International Relations & National Security at Angelo State University Report

#17

Denison University

Granville, OH

Denison University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Full International Relations & National Security at Denison University Report

#18

Brown University

Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #18 on this year’s Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

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University of Southern California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for international relations and national security students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

On average, international relations graduates from USC take out $15,490 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $340.

Full International Relations & National Security at University of Southern California Report

#20

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY

Hamilton College ranked #20 on this year’s Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Clinton, Hamilton is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Hamilton College

#21

Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Wellesley College

#22

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA

William & Mary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for international relations and national security students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

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#23

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University of Chicago came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

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#24

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Emory University

#25

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for international relations and national security students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the small city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Full International Relations & National Security at Virginia Tech Report

Rest of the Top Best International Relations & Security Bachelor's Degree Schools

#26

George Washington University

Washington, DC
#28

Niagara University

Niagara University, NY
#29

Roanoke College

Salem, VA
#30

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY
#31

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg, PA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for International Relations & Security students that almost earned our Best International Relations & Security Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
32 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
33 Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY
34 Mount St Mary’s University Emmitsburg, MD
35 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
36 Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA
37 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
38 Middlebury College Middlebury, VT
39 American University Washington, DC
40 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
41 Dickinson College Carlisle, PA
42 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI

International Relations & National Security by Region

View the Best International Relations & Security Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 12 majors within the area of study, international relations and national security has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 49,282
Economics 49,055
Sociology 38,475
General Social Sciences 18,997
Anthropology 11,415

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to RepubFan12.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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