What you'll do in college
International relations majors study how countries interact—diplomacy, war, trade, human rights, international law, and global organizations. Coursework spans political science, history, economics, and a foreign language (most programs require proficiency in at least one).
Many students study abroad for a semester or year, and senior theses often focus on a specific country or international issue. The major attracts students interested in the world beyond their own borders.
What you'll do after college
Grads work for the State Department, international organizations (UN, World Bank), foreign-policy think tanks, multinational corporations, NGOs, intelligence agencies, journalism, and consulting. Many pursue master's degrees in international affairs or law school.
The work often involves travel, language skills, and an ability to understand cultures and political systems different from your own. Pay varies widely depending on whether you work for a government, nonprofit, or private firm.
Famous graduates
- Richard Engel — NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent; B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University
- Ian Bremmer — Founder of Eurasia Group and global political risk researcher; B.A. in International Relations from Tulane University
- Chris Sacca — Billionaire venture capitalist and entrepreneur; B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
By SAT median
Earnings vs. selectivity rank
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | 5yr Earn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations | 538 | 9,966 | 35% / 65% | 8% | $68,082 |
| 159 | 3,670 | 38% / 62% | 8% | $64,470 | |
| 208 | 2,439 | 32% / 68% | 7% | $69,429 | |
| 57 | 1,087 | 38% / 62% | 7% | $78,108 | |
| 49 | 906 | 29% / 71% | 4% | $56,667 | |
| 28 | 550 | 24% / 76% | 8% | $66,151 | |
| 1 | 289 | 43% / 57% | 32% | $90,353 | |
| 39 | 267 | 36% / 64% | 8% | $72,098 | |
| 1 | 113 | 41% / 59% | 8% | $103,381 | |
| 3 | 93 | 35% / 65% | 6% | $59,407 | |
| 1 | 72 | 43% / 57% | 12% | ||
| 3 | 68 | 31% / 69% | 15% | $63,014 | |
| 2 | 57 | 40% / 60% | 4% | $62,924 | |
| 1 | 53 | 51% / 49% | 19% | $77,866 | |
| 7 | 50 | 38% / 62% | 4% | $44,504 | |
| 1 | 48 | 44% / 56% | 4% | ||
| 1 | 27 | 56% / 44% | 4% | $59,310 | |
| 8 | 26 | 23% / 77% | 4% | $96,515 | |
| 1 | 26 | 35% / 65% | 12% | $74,513 | |
| 1 | 24 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $81,535 | |
| 1 | 20 | 60% / 40% | 0% | ||
| 1 | 19 | 26% / 74% | 5% | ||
| 1 | 16 | 56% / 44% | 0% | ||
| 1 | 14 | 14% / 86% | 0% | $80,270 | |
| 1 | 10 | 50% / 50% | 30% | ||
| 1 | 7 | 29% / 71% | 0% | $56,492 | |
| 1 | 5 | 0% / 100% | 0% | ||
| 1 | 5 | 0% / 100% | 0% | ||
| 1 | 3 | 0% / 100% | 0% | ||
| 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | ||
| 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% |