International Relations and National Security Studies

What graduates really earn, where the degree pays off most, and whether the numbers add up for you.

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 sits in the middle on money. The average $42,780 four years out is right around what bachelor's graduates earn across the board - so the math works at an affordable school and gets tight as tuition climbs. Pick your school with that in mind.

127 schools offer this major, so you have real options. Compare net price and graduate earnings at your actual target schools - the spread between the best and worst ROI in this field is wide.

The top earner here is Claremont McKenna College, where graduates pull $96,520 four years out. But an average hides a wide spread - where you go, 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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