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

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 Pennsylvania programs in the federal field-of-study file, Bucknell University leads: its International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn a median $90,393 four years after finishing, against the field's $66,596 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)

Pennsylvania International Relations and National Security Studies programs by graduate earnings
#CollegeGrad earnings, 4 yrsVs field median
1Bucknell University$90,393+$23,797
2University of Pennsylvania$87,439+$20,843
3Lehigh University$79,569+$12,973

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

$10,824 separates the top and bottom of this list — $90,393 at Bucknell University against $79,569 at Lehigh University, four years after finishing. Same field, same state, same federal measure: where you study moves pay by that much.

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

The state's strongest program pays $23,797 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 Pennsylvania college is best for International Relations and National Security Studies?
By graduate earnings, Bucknell University — its International Relations and National Security Studies bachelor's graduates earn a median $90,393 four years out, the highest of the 3 Pennsylvania programs in the federal file.
What do International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn in Pennsylvania?
Across the ranked Pennsylvania programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $79,569 to $90,393. 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.