Degree Dividend
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Best colleges for International Relations and National Security Studies in California

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, Claremont McKenna College leads: its International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn a median $96,520 four years after finishing, against the field's $66,596 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)

California International Relations and National Security Studies programs by graduate earnings
#CollegeGrad earnings, 4 yrsVs field median
1Claremont McKenna College$96,520+$29,924
2Stanford University$91,075+$24,479
3University of Southern California$84,866+$18,270

How big is the earnings gap between California International Relations programs?

$11,654 separates the top and bottom of this list — $96,520 at Claremont McKenna College against $84,866 at University of Southern California, four years after finishing. Same field, same state, same federal measure: where you study moves pay by that much.

Do California International Relations graduates earn more than the national median?

The state's strongest program pays $29,924 above the $66,596 national median for the field. Program-level medians come from federal tax records of graduates who received aid, so they track actual pay rather than advertised salaries.

Frequently asked questions

Which California college is best for International Relations and National Security Studies?
By graduate earnings, Claremont McKenna College — its International Relations and National Security Studies bachelor's graduates earn a median $96,520 four years out, the highest of the 3 California programs in the federal file.
What do International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $84,866 to $96,520. The field's national median is $66,596.
Is a International Relations and National Security Studies degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn $18,236/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.