2026 Best International Relations National Security Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best International Relations National Security graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 449 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Harvard University tops our 2026 ranking of the best International Relations National Security graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Get the full Harvard University report
You'll be in good company at Duke University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $13,296. See the full Duke University profile
Johns Hopkins University came in at #3 on this year's International Relations National Security ranking in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $12,000. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
You'll be in good company at Institute Of World Politics, which ranked #4 this year. Institute Of World Politics is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Read more about Institute Of World Politics
Out of the 449 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Texas A And M University College Station landed the #5 spot. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $20,031. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
Washington University In St Louis came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. More on Washington University In St Louis
University Of Chicago placed #7 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Villanova University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. See the full Villanova University profile
Webster University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Webster University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Webster University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $25,939 in debt. Read more about Webster University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #10 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
George Washington University placed #11 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. More on George Washington University
American University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. More on American University
Syracuse University placed #13 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Syracuse University International Relations National Security students take on a median of $24,443 in debt. Read more about Syracuse University
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $26,030. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
George Mason University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. Get the full George Mason University report
Monterey Institute Of International Studies did well this year, earning the #16 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Monterey, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $48,654. Get the full Monterey Institute Of International Studies report
University Of Utah landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $20,798. Read the full report on University Of Utah
The University Of Tennessee placed #18 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. The University Of Tennessee International Relations National Security students take on a median of $22,859 in debt. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
Wright State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Dayton, OH, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $25,836. Get the full Wright State University Main Campus report
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. University Of Nebraska At Omaha International Relations National Security students take on a median of $21,783 in debt. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #22 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. North Carolina State University At Raleigh International Relations National Security students take on a median of $22,113 in debt. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Fordham University placed #23 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,843 to complete their International Relations National Security program here. See the full Fordham University profile
Utah State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. Utah State University graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $16,191. See the full Utah State University profile
Southern New Hampshire University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Set in Manchester, NH, Southern New Hampshire University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,200. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $29,103. Get the full Southern New Hampshire University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best International Relations National Security Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Oakland University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Rochester Hills, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Read the full report on Oakland University
St Johns University New York came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Queens, NY. St Johns University New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,529. Graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. Get the full St Johns University New York report
Regent University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Based in Virginia Beach, VA, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Typical International Relations National Security student debt is $29,451. Read more about Regent University
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #29 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Based in Brookville, NY, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Long Island University C W Post Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. The median International Relations National Security program debt is $25,211. See the full Long Island University C W Post Campus profile
Fairmont State University did well this year, earning the #30 position. More on Fairmont State University
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks placed #31 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. More on Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks
The University Of West Florida came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on The University Of West Florida
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford did well this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Bradford
Mission College
Mission College placed #34 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. See the full Mission College profile
University Of Arizona did well this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full University Of Arizona report
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Skidmore College
Skidmore College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. See the full Skidmore College profile
Niagara University placed #38 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Read the full report on Niagara University
Santa Monica College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Santa Monica College report
Auburn University placed #40 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. More on Auburn University
Morningside College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Morningside College
Rollins College
Rollins College did well this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Rollins College profile
Claremont Graduate University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. More on Claremont Graduate University
Lake Forest College did well this year, earning the #44 position. More on Lake Forest College
Augusta University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best International Relations National Security schools. Read the full report on Augusta University
Hampshire College placed #46 among International Relations National Security schools in the United States. Read the full report on Hampshire College
Mars Hill College did well this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Mars Hill College profile
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. More on University Of Minnesota Duluth
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Get the full California State University Monterey Bay report
Morgan State University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on Morgan State University
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 Bachelor’s 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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