International Relations and National Security Studies

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$42,780

Median Earnings

$66,180

Schools Offering

127

ROI Grade

C+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $57,783Median: $66,18075th: $73,865

Best Schools for International Relations and National Security Studies by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Johns Hopkins University MD · Private	96	$99,205	$18,809	$12,000	B+
2	Claremont McKenna College CA · Private	92	$96,520	$28,849	N/A	-
3	Fairfield University CT · Private	79	$94,347	$48,095	$27,000	C+
4	Middlebury College VT · Private	86	$92,728	$31,483	N/A	-
5	Stanford University CA · Private	99	$91,075	$13,807	N/A	-
6	William & Mary VA · Public	91	$91,065	$19,096	$21,000	B
7	Bucknell University PA · Private	87	$90,393	$40,766	N/A	-
8	Angelo State University TX · Public	49	$87,991	$15,091	$11,066	A
9	University of Pennsylvania PA · Private	97	$87,439	$28,699	$10,470	A
10	Brown University RI · Private	96	$86,780	$25,184	$12,000	B+
11	University of Southern California CA · Private	91	$84,866	$32,740	$13,765	B+
12	University of Miami FL · Private	78	$84,474	$37,244	$17,250	C+
13	University of Virginia-Main Campus VA · Public	95	$82,991	$21,565	$20,672	B
14	Georgetown University DC · Private	93	$82,197	$40,815	$17,500	B+
15	Lehigh University PA · Private	93	$79,569	$36,931	$21,250	C
16	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus GA · Public	97	$79,264	$12,116	N/A	-
17	Emory University GA · Private	92	$78,029	$22,585	$19,500	B
18	Tufts University MA · Private	86	$77,998	$39,998	$16,375	B+
19	Hobart William Smith Colleges NY · Private	70	$77,977	$31,563	$26,000	C
20	Tulane University of Louisiana LA · Private	64	$77,300	$39,949	$20,500	B
21	Fordham University NY · Private	79	$77,234	$44,338	$25,843	C
22	Colgate University NY · Private	92	$77,199	$28,786	N/A	-
23	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$76,751	$36,586	$22,000	B
24	California State University Maritime Academy CA · Public	90	$76,478	$20,555	$26,000	C
25	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott AZ · Private	76	$75,520	$40,287	$22,901	C+
26	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach FL · Private	74	$75,520	$41,272	$22,901	C+
27	Northeastern University MA · Private	91	$74,816	$30,915	$21,125	B+
28	Michigan State University MI · Public	79	$74,709	$19,680	$24,766	C
29	Northwestern University IL · Private	94	$74,477	$29,167	$19,234	B+
30	American University DC · Private	74	$73,865	$41,943	$23,250	C+
31	Virginia Military Institute VA · Public	88	$72,700	$17,113	$21,500	C+
32	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University VA · Public	89	$71,988	$24,953	$21,500	C+
33	Connecticut College CT · Private	76	$71,960	$36,175	$25,855	C
34	Seton Hall University NJ · Private	73	$71,949	$31,446	$22,500	C+
35	Fairmont State University WV · Public	43	$71,751	$9,032	$24,250	C
36	Brigham Young University UT · Private	94	$71,622	$15,564	N/A	-
37	Liberty University VA · Private	28	$71,436	$29,357	$21,750	C+
38	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley PA · Public	63	$71,001	$18,220	$25,000	C+
39	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus PA · Public	62	$71,001	$32,875	$25,000	C+
40	Pennsylvania State University-World Campus PA · Public	63	$71,001	$19,550	$25,000	C+
41	University of Georgia GA · Public	88	$70,510	$13,936	$19,500	C+
42	Rollins College FL · Private	46	$70,502	$34,732	$27,000	D
43	Occidental College CA · Private	73	$70,394	$38,263	$19,275	C+
44	George Mason University VA · Public	86	$69,399	$17,915	$23,000	C+
45	James Madison University VA · Public	84	$68,798	$23,322	$18,460	B
46	Elon University NC · Private	75	$68,262	$41,555	N/A	-
47	DePaul University IL · Private	68	$68,180	$30,902	$21,250	C
48	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$68,049	$38,793	$26,635	C
49	Norwich University VT · Private	71	$68,004	$22,257	$16,850	B
50	Washington College MD · Private	64	$67,983	$27,898	N/A	-

Fair Value

Is International Relations and National Security Studies Worth It?

Worth It - With the Right School

International Relations and National Security Studies offers moderate financial returns. Average earnings of $42,780 four years after graduation are close to the national median for all bachelor's degree holders. The financial case works at affordable schools but gets shakier as tuition rises. Choose your school carefully.

127 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is Claremont McKenna College, where graduates earn $96,520 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for International Relations and National Security Studies All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

International Relations and National Security Studies

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for International Relations and National Security Studies by Earnings

Is International Relations and National Security Studies Worth It?

Worth It - With the Right School

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