International Relations and National Security Studies: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
International Relations and National Security Studies graduates earn a median $66,596 four years after finishing — $18,236/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 3.7 years. Federal data pools 350 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 8,410 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
International Relations and National Security Studies ranks #84 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 59% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johns Hopkins University | MD | $99,205 |
| 2 | Claremont McKenna College | CA | $96,520 |
| 3 | Fairfield University | CT | $94,347 |
| 4 | Middlebury College | VT | $92,728 |
| 5 | Stanford University | CA | $91,075 |
| 6 | William & Mary | VA | $91,065 |
| 7 | Bucknell University | PA | $90,393 |
| 8 | Angelo State University | TX | $87,991 |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania | PA | $87,439 |
| 10 | Brown University | RI | $86,780 |
| 11 | University of Southern California | CA | $84,866 |
| 12 | University of Miami | FL | $84,474 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.