Skip to main content
Johns Hopkins University delivers the highest International Relations and National Security Studies graduate earnings at $50,231 annually while maintaining a net cost of just $18,161, nearly matching public universities despite its $63,340 sticker price. Maryland's proximity to Washington D.C. creates strong career pathways with federal agencies, defense contractors, and think tanks actively recruiting graduates. The state's eight programs range from Morgan State's $15,015 net cost to Washington College's $29,095, giving students access to one of the nation's premier national security job markets.
8
Programs
$15,015 – $29,095
Net Price Range
$40,089
Avg. Program Earnings
61.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

8 International Relations and National Security Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $15,015 $8,118 41.6% 85.4%
2 $16,791 $11,306 67.6% 78.6%
3 $17,546 $9,772 46.7% 89.3%
4 $18,161 $63,340 94.6% 7.3%
5 $23,774 $51,250 60.0% 80.2%
6 $24,536 $41,910 51.9% 69.6%
7 $24,987 $47,240 58.0% 79.6%
8 $29,095 $54,356 74.1% 74.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Johns Hopkins achieve such affordable net costs for International Relations students?

Johns Hopkins provides substantial financial aid that reduces the $63,340 sticker price to a $18,161 net cost, making it competitive with public universities. The university's 94.60% graduation rate and $50,231 median earnings justify this investment for most students.

What makes Maryland public universities attractive for International Relations majors?

Morgan State University offers the lowest net cost at $15,015, while Towson University combines a reasonable $16,791 net cost with a solid 67.60% graduation rate. Both provide access to Maryland's federal job market without the debt burden of private alternatives.

Where do International Relations graduates typically find employment in Maryland?

Maryland's proximity to Washington D.C. opens doors to federal agencies, the National Security Agency, and defense contractors in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. The state's cybersecurity and biotech sectors also recruit graduates with national security expertise for private sector roles.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.