Science
Political Scientists
- Median pay
- $142,080
- Outlook
- Decline
Master's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
International Relations and National Security Studies
CIP45.09
366 colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 366
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $66,122
- median, 4 years after
- Bachelor's debt
- $19,500
- median federal loans
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 30
- Associate's
- 23
- Bachelor's
- 366
- Master's
- 113
- Post-baccalaureate certificate
- 7
- Doctoral
- 18
- First professional
- 3
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 47
What it covers
About International Relations and National Security Studies
International Relations and National Security Studies is part of Social Sciences: instructional programs that focus on the systematic study of social systems, social institutions, and social behavior.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 45.09.
Programs in this field
Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 45.09.
- International Relations and Affairs
- National Security Policy Studies
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 30 | $110,6864 yrs after · 1 college | $18,2072 colleges |
| Associate's | 23 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Bachelor's | 366 | $66,1224 yrs after · 112 colleges | $19,50077 colleges |
| Master's | 113 | $89,6794 yrs after · 36 colleges | $42,75028 colleges |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7 | $100,6864 yrs after · 1 college | Not reported |
| Doctoral | 18 | Not reported | Not reported |
| First professional | 3 | $87,7774 yrs after · 1 college | $42,3261 college |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 47 | $78,9204 yrs after · 2 colleges | $35,8803 colleges |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit · 63 graduates
$99,205
debt not reported
- 2
Claremont, CA · Private nonprofit · 30 graduates
$96,520
debt not reported
- 3
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofit · 10 graduates
$94,347
debt not reported
- 4
Middlebury, VT · Private nonprofit · 45 graduates
$92,728
debt $16,250
- 5
Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit · 62 graduates
$91,075
debt not reported
- 6
Williamsburg, VA · Public · 78 graduates
$91,065
debt $20,500
- 7
Lewisburg, PA · Private nonprofit · 32 graduates
$90,393
debt $25,500
- 8
San Angelo, TX · Public · 32 graduates
$87,991
debt $11,933
- 9
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · 23 graduates
$87,439
debt not reported
- 10
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · 178 graduates
$86,780
debt $11,750
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to International Relations and National Security Studies by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
- Bright outlook
Management
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Complex Problem Solving
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Management
Compliance Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Bright outlook
Management
Loss Prevention Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Bright outlook
Management
Managers, All Other
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook
Management
Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Bright outlook
Management
Wind Energy Development Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Bright outlook
Management
Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
More in Social Sciences
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this areaQuestions about International Relations and National Security Studies
How many colleges offer International Relations and National Security Studies?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report International Relations and National Security Studies at these degree levels: certificate (30 colleges), associate's (23 colleges), bachelor's (366 colleges), master's (113 colleges), post-baccalaureate certificate (7 colleges), doctoral (18 colleges), first professional (3 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (47 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in International Relations and National Security Studies earn $66,122 a year four years after finishing, across 112 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn the most?
Johns Hopkins University reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in International Relations and National Security Studies: $99,205 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.