Best Colleges for International Relations in 2025–26

30 colleges with strong international relations programs, ranked by size and selectivity.

Florida International University

Miami, FL

54.7% acceptance$6,565 in-state

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA

26.7% acceptance$16,758 in-state

Boston University

Boston, MA

11.1% acceptance$68,102 in-state

American University

Washington, DC

62% acceptance$58,771 in-state

Brown University

Providence, RI

5.4% acceptance$71,412 in-state

Tufts University

Medford, MA

11.5% acceptance$70,704 in-state

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA

34.1% acceptance$25,914 in-state

University of Denver

Denver, CO

77.8% acceptance$61,398 in-state

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA

52.4% acceptance$59,486 in-state

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Mahwah, NJ

70.6% acceptance$16,777 in-state

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY

13.9% acceptance$70,306 in-state

Missouri Southern State University

Joplin, MO

97% acceptance$8,960 in-state

Middlebury College

Middlebury, VT

10.8% acceptance$67,600 in-state

Trinity University

San Antonio, TX

25.9% acceptance$53,676 in-state

Colby College

Waterville, ME

7.1% acceptance$69,600 in-state

Webster University

Saint Louis, MO

86.2% acceptance$31,750 in-state

Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA

14.1% acceptance$67,176 in-state

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA

42.1% acceptance$65,650 in-state

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN

28.5% acceptance$68,104 in-state

Salve Regina University

Newport, RI

68.2% acceptance$50,100 in-state

Arcadia University

Glenside, PA

80.2% acceptance$49,610 in-state

Connecticut College

New London, CT

37% acceptance$67,242 in-state

Eckerd College

Saint Petersburg, FL

75.8% acceptance$51,884 in-state

Rhodes College

Memphis, TN

50.3% acceptance$57,110 in-state

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL

56.8% acceptance$56,402 in-state

Pomona College

Claremont, CA

7.1% acceptance$65,420 in-state

Saint Norbert College

De Pere, WI

85.7% acceptance$45,580 in-state

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA

71.3% acceptance$21,046 in-state

Centre College

Danville, KY

54.4% acceptance$52,820 in-state

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA

9.6% acceptance$67,980 in-state

About international relations as a major

International Relations (IR) — sometimes called International Studies, International Affairs, or Global Affairs — is a multidisciplinary major spanning political science, economics, history, and language study. Career paths include the State Department's Foreign Service, intelligence community (CIA, DIA, ODNI), international NGO work (UN, World Bank, IMF, NGOs in development and humanitarian aid), international business and consulting, foreign journalism, and policy think tank research. Many IR grads continue to graduate school — for the most competitive Foreign Service track, a master's in international affairs from Georgetown, SAIS, Fletcher, or Princeton's WWS is essentially the standard. Language proficiency is a major differentiator: a Mandarin- or Arabic-speaking IR major has substantially more career options than a monolingual one. The job market is competitive at entry level but rewards persistence, language skills, and willingness to work overseas.

Salary range

$50,000 – $65,000 starting at NGOs/think tanks; $75,000-$120,000 in federal foreign service mid-career; consulting/private sector $90,000-$150,000+

Study path

4-year BA in International Relations or International Affairs. Core: comparative politics → international political economy → international security → regional politics → 2-3 years of one foreign language → study-abroad semester → senior thesis. Master's degree typical for Foreign Service career path.

How to choose a international relations program

Language proficiency and study abroad are essential in IR. Look for programs with strong language departments (especially in critical-need languages: Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Farsi), Model UN programs, and connections to think tanks or international organizations. Proximity to Washington DC, New York, or Geneva provides internship advantages. The Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown, SAIS at Johns Hopkins, Fletcher at Tufts, and Princeton's WWS are the most-recognized IR programs — but Tufts, JHU, and Princeton in particular admit students directly to their international affairs schools at undergrad level. Pick a regional concentration (East Asia, MENA, Latin America, Europe) and double down on that region's language plus a study-abroad semester there.

Common career paths for international relations graduates

Diplomat, Intelligence Analyst, International Development Officer, Foreign Correspondent, NGO Manager, Foreign Service Officer, Policy Researcher, International Trade Specialist, Human Rights Investigator, Conflict Resolution Specialist, Geopolitical Risk Analyst

Real careers, real salaries

See all →
Foreign Service Officer / Diplomat$92K
+4% by 2032

Scholarships for international relations students

There are scholarships specifically for students studying international relations. Search our database to find awards you qualify for.

Find international relations scholarships →
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Last updated: November 2025. Live acceptance rates and tuition pulled from each college's most recent reporting.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.