2025 Best International Relations Schools
151
Colleges in the United States
12,541
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Ranked #63 in popularity,
international relations is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.
College Factual reviewed 151 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of international relations. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 12,541 degrees in international relations annually.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great International Relations School
The international relations program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for International Relations rankings. For our Best Overall International Relations School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Pick Your International Relations Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best International Relations Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat.
Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.
Best Schools for International Relations in the United States
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the international relations degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Schools in International Relations
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In MD
760
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Every student pursuing a degree in international relations needs to check out Johns Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.
There were roughly 760 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In MA
150
International Relations Degrees Awarded
It is hard to beat Harvard University if you want to pursue a degree in international relations. Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.
There were approximately 150 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Harvard University
Masters
Degree Type
MBA in International Business
Program Name
Earn the MBA that fits your borderless business goals – and your budget.
More information about a degree in MBA in International Business from Southern New Hampshire University
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In VA
212
International Relations Degrees Awarded
University of Virginia - Main Campus is a wonderful option for students pursuing a degree in international relations. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were roughly 212 international relations students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from University of Virginia - Main Campus
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In DC
562
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Any student pursuing a degree in international relations has to look into Georgetown University. Located in the large city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.
There were roughly 562 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Georgetown University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In DC
852
International Relations Degrees Awarded
GWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. This university ranks 2nd out of 7 colleges for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.
There were about 852 international relations students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from George Washington University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In NC
Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.
There were roughly 29 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from Duke University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
6th
Most Popular In CA
89
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Stanford is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Stanford. A Best Colleges rank of #10 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.
There were approximately 89 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from Stanford University
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In DC
749
International Relations Degrees Awarded
The American University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. This university ranks 3rd out of 7 schools for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.
There were roughly 749 international relations students who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from American University
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In CA
191
International Relations Degrees Awarded
USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.
There were about 191 international relations students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from University of Southern California
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In RI
100
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the midsize city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 9 schools for overall quality in the state of Rhode Island.
There were roughly 100 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from Brown University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In CT
97
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.
There were roughly 97 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from Yale University
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In MA
383
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Tufts is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Medford. This university ranks 7th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were approximately 383 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Tufts in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from Tufts University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In PA
49
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.
There were approximately 49 international relations students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from University of Pennsylvania
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In MA
272
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Boston U is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. This university ranks 4th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were about 272 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Boston University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In IL
163
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were about 163 international relations students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from University of Chicago
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In IL
34
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.
There were about 34 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Northwestern University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In NY
154
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.
There were about 154 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from Columbia University in the City of New York
Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.
There were roughly 30 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Carnegie Mellon University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In VA
130
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. This school ranks 2nd out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were about 130 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from Virginia Tech
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In NY
119
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Bronx, Fordham U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were about 119 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Fordham U in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Fordham University
Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont McKenna is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 6th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were about 30 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Claremont McKenna in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Claremont McKenna College
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In VT
38
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 1st out of 9 colleges for overall quality in the state of Vermont.
There were approximately 38 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in international relations from Middlebury College
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In GA
246
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Located in the midsize city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.
There were about 246 international relations students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from University of Georgia
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
9th
Most Popular In NY
47
International Relations Degrees Awarded
Colgate is a small private not-for-profit university located in the rural area of Hamilton. This university ranks 11th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were approximately 47 international relations students who graduated with this degree at Colgate in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from Colgate University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In VA
189
International Relations Degrees Awarded
GMU is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Fairfax. This university ranks 4th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were about 189 international relations students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in international relations from George Mason University