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2023 Most Focused Colleges for International Relations & National Security

434 Ranked Colleges
$35,000 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major” ranking.

International Relations & National Security is the 67th most popular major in the country with 13,958 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , international relations & national security graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $41,264 and had an average of $27,636 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major” ranking looked at 434 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in international relations & national security. That schools that top this list have a program in international relations & national security in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank International Relations & National Security Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for international relations students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for International Relations & National Security

1
Institute of World Politics crest
Institute of World Politics
Washington, District of Columbia

Out of the 434 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Institute of World Politics landed the #1 spot on the list. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 38 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Institute of World Politics International Relations & National Security Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major. Middlebury Institute is located in Monterey, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 58 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Middlebury Institute International Relations & National Security Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Schiller International University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 0 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Schiller International University

4
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American University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. This fairly large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 749 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at American University

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott is a small school located in Prescott, Arizona that handed out 67 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Embry-Riddle Prescott

6
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Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small public school handed out 45 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Virginia Military Institute

7

Virginia International University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Virginia International University is located in Fairfax, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 0 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Virginia International University

8
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Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Medford, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 383 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

9
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SIT Graduate Institute
Brattleboro, Vermont

SIT Graduate Institute did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Brattleboro, Vermont, and it awarded 4 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at SIT Graduate Institute

9

Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the Caribbean came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s international relations students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the Caribbean International Relations & National Security Report

11
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #11, George Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. George Washington University is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 852 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at George Washington University

12
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Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont

Norwich University ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Located in Northfield, Vermont, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 74 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Norwich University International Relations & National Security Report

13
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Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, California

Naval Postgraduate School landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Naval Postgraduate School is a public institution located in Monterey, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 265 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Naval Postgraduate School International Relations & National Security Report

14
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Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #14, Georgetown University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. This large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 562 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

15
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Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 56 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

16
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Agnes Scott College
Decatur, Georgia

Agnes Scott College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Georgia. It awarded 9 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Agnes Scott College

17
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Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #17. Hampden-Sydney, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international relations degrees to 14 students in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Hampden - Sydney College

18
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Occidental College ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Oxy is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 53 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

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

19
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

With a ranking of #19, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Johns Hopkins University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 760 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

20
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Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

Lafayette College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Lafayette is located in Easton, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 37 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Lafayette College

21
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Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #21. Located in San Angelo, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 111 diplomas to qualified ’s international relations students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Angelo State University

22
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Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

Claremont McKenna College ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. Claremont McKenna is a small school located in Claremont, California that handed out 30 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on International Relations & National Security at Claremont McKenna

23
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, Tennessee

Rhodes College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking. Rhodes College is located in Memphis, Tennessee and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 16 ’s international relations degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Rhodes College International Relations & National Security Report

24
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Hamilton College
Clinton, New York

Hamilton College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major ranking, coming in at #24. Hamilton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Clinton, New York. It awarded 25 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

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

25
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Connecticut College
New London, Connecticut

With a ranking of #25, Connecticut College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major list. This small school is located in New London, Connecticut, and it awarded 26 ’s international relations degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Relations & National Security at Connecticut College

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
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Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT
29
30
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Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
31
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
32
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Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA
33
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, WI
34
35
36
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Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
37
SUNY Geneseo crest
SUNY Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
38
39
40
41
42
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Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
43
44
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Rollins College
Winter Park, FL
45
46
47
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Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA
48
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Denison University
Granville, OH
49
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Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on International Relations Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA
52Allegheny CollegeMeadville, PA
53Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
54Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, NY
55Knox CollegeGalesburg, IL
56Linfield University - McMinnville CampusMcMinnville, OR
57Wells CollegeAurora, NY
58Goucher CollegeBaltimore, MD
59Boston UniversityBoston, MA
60University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
61William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA
62George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA
63St. Mary’s UniversitySan Antonio, TX
64Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
65Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA
RankCollegeLocation
66Oglethorpe UniversityAtlanta, GA

Notes and References

References

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