Best Colleges for International Relations/Studies

International Relations is where economics, global politics, and cultural studies collide producing versatile graduates ready to enter the Foreign Service, the intelligence community, or the world of international business. It’s little surprise that many of the schools that made our list of the Best Colleges for International Relations and Studies are located in metropolitan hubs like Washington D.C., but there are also premiere opportunities for study in locales like Kentucky (Centre College) and Minnesota (Carleton College). These schools are known for having professors who are leading scholars and high ranking government officials, extensive and meaningful study abroad programs, and direct pipelines into desirable government agencies.

Click the links below for more information about each college's international relations program. Click here to read our methodology. Finally, note that although some of the colleges featured below do not offer a formal major in international relations or international studies, their undergraduate offerings in these subject areas are so strong that they warrant inclusion on our list.