by our College Data Analytics TeamInternational Relations was the 63rd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 13,117 degrees in this year alone. This 499 less than the prior year, a decrease of 3.8%.
Our 2023 Best International Relations Schools ranking analyzes 221 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for international relations students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international relations programs later in this article.
International Relations majors are found most commonly in careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is important. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
international relations degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional international relations certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of international relations degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in international relations to something that takes less time like a . International Relations programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to international relations, with approximately 40.7% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for international relations workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 33.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 20.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 1.9% |
About 52.0% of workers in careers related to international relations obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in international relations have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the international relations career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your international relations degree? International Relations careers are expected to grow 8.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international relations.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Political Science Professors | 23,400 | 10.4% |
| Political Scientists | 7,500 | 2.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for international relations graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for international relations graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers international relations grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Political Scientists | $115,300 |
| Political Science Professors | $99,480 |
With over 721 different international relations degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased international relations school rankings to help you with this.
One of 2 majors within the International Relations & National Security area of study, International Relations has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Security | 659 |
| Other International Relations & National Security Studies | 530 |
