### SUMMARY

 Majoring in International Relations and Affairs is a valuable choice and usually a required first step for scholars endeavoring to begin a career as an international public relations officer, an all source intelligence analyst, or a public affairs specialist. Interestingly, international relations and affairs is pretty common ranking as the 48th most popular area of study. Last year alone, there were 9,868 international relations and affairs degrees conferred. In-state tuition for international relations and affairs at private schools is, on average, 4.1 times more expensive than their public fellows.

 There are 380 colleges which offer international relations and affairs. This number of colleges is fairly average in terms of the number of institutions which offer each degree. If you are looking to surround yourself with other international relations and affairs majors, consider looking at colleges in District of Columbia which have the most undergraduates admitted to international relations and affairs annually. less precisely, the top region to study international relations and affairs is in the Southeast region with [Florida International University](/colleges/florida-international-university), [Florida State University](/colleges/florida-state-university), and [University of Georgia](/colleges/university-of-georgia) best representing the region. Interestingly, our selection for the top conference to study international relations and affairs is the Atlantic 10 Conference with [George Washington University](/colleges/george-washington-university), [Fordham University](/colleges/fordham-university), and [George Mason University](/colleges/george-mason-university) representing the conference. From our list of the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges), our belief is that the best school for international relations and affairs is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university).

 The objectively best school does not mean it is the best school for you. There might be many more facets to think about when deciding on ​university. Stuff like campus amenities, transportation services, and food might definitely affect your thoughts of which university to attend. At Authority, we have examined the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you are interested in which international relations and affairs school boasts the best campus, the winner is [New York University](/colleges/new-york-university). If, for example, you are primarily interested in which school has the finest campus, we have an entire page [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through student reviews, professor reviews, government databases, and more in order to compare all U.S. majors in an unbiased and informative way. Here you can explore our well researched list for the schools with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbspand from that list, our pick for the university with the best student life for international relations and affairs is [Georgetown University](/colleges/georgetown-university). Curious why? Keep scrolling to learn more about Authority's top recommendations. Many of our picks might shock you.

 If price is a primary deciding factor in your choice of where you attend college, you might be cautious about [University of Chicago](/colleges/university-of-chicago). [University of Chicago](/colleges/university-of-chicago)&nbspis our most expensive school for international relations and affairs, at least for out of state enrollment. We do have a list of the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspcolleges that could put the price tag of [University of Chicago](/colleges/university-of-chicago)&nbspinto perspective. You may also care to know that international relations and affairs is the 7th most expensive program in the US, with an average associated cost of $54,700. To zoom out a little, the most expensive state for international relations and affairs on our list is Rhode Island with costs at the main institution, Brown University, of $57,112. Even more broadly, the most costly region of the U.S. for international relations and affairs is the New England region which is best demonstrated with [Connecticut College](/colleges/connecticut-college) with a cost of $56,540, [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university) with a cost of $57,324, and [Brown University](/colleges/brown-university) with a cost of $57,112.

 Our cheapest region for international relations and affairs is the Rocky Mountains region which is represented by [University of Idaho](/colleges/university-of-idaho) with a cost of $25,418, [The College of Idaho](/colleges/the-college-of-idaho) with a cost of $31,000, and [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo) with a cost of $5,790. More optimistically, the most affordable school for international relations and affairs is [Florida International University](/colleges/florida-international-university). Authority's comprehensive list of the most affordable colleges can be found [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state students can anticipate paying about $10,900 for a degree in international relations and affairs. That cost balloons significantly to an average of $25,300 for the out-of-state public-school student. Our pick for the college with the best value for international relations and affairs: [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). Here you will find our comprehensive list about the schools we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspoverall. With that said, this section is based on out-of-state tuition costs. A discussion of value changes when it comes to in-state tuition, but we do not know where you live (and are not trying to collect that kind of data).

 Earnings for international relations and affairs students can differ, but two-years after finishing the degree graduates will typically earn around $53,900. There is much variation in salary; top positions can rake in up to $108,800. Straight out of university, the lowest earning jobs within the international relations and affairs field make $27,100, which is an alright wage. The highest earning graduates from international relations and affairs attended [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university)&nbspand if you are looking for colleges with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), we have that too.

 The prevailing diversity of international relations and affairs stands high, coming within the 82nd percentile of all programs. The college with the highest composite diversity for international relations and affairs is [New York University](/colleges/new-york-university)&nbspand here you can find our general list for the schools with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of the International Relations and Affairs major sits only within the 7th percentile of all majors. Racial diversity is actually greater, ranking in the 72nd percentile. White undergraduates make up the largest proportion at 54% of scholars studying international relations and affairs. Additionally, 60% of undergraduates seeking an international relations and affairs degree are women.

 The median score for international relations and affairs' professors is 4 stars, a score which is actually the median score for every major; this is a fine. If you are looking for the most popular international relations and affairs professor in the country, consider looking up Kenneth Abbott at [University of Houston](/colleges/university-of-houston). It might come as a shock, but the top rated instructors of international relations and affairs by student are found at [George Washington University](/colleges/george-washington-university). As we including data beyond basic rankings it becomes clear that the college with the best instructors for international relations and affairs is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). You will find more detail on our ever evolving ranking methodology of the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), as well as many of the top professors nationwide.

 Finally, the hardest school to get into for international relations and affairs is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). While we do not necessarily see the value in it, we do have a detailed page for the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, we hope you believe that approaching academics with a perspective primarily derived from superlatives can cause problems. We at Authority encourage you to look at some of our more focused pages on different topics and peruse a few of our informative background 'blog posts' on important things to consider as you progress with your university search.



 ### POPULARITY

 International relations and affairs is the 48th most popular degree in America, with 9,868 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #49 [Fine Art](/rankings/best-colleges-for-fine-art), and narrowly lost to #47 [Health and Fitness](/rankings/best-colleges-for-health-and-fitness).

 The degree is offered at a total of 380 colleges across the nation, and is the 60th most widely offered degree. Given that international relations and affairs is offered at 44% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America, you can be sure this is a critical degree and the skillsets acquired are likely to last for a long time.

 It is also worth noting that 36% of colleges offering international relations and affairs are public making it a relatively inaccessible field.

 The southeast produces the most international relations and affairs graduates, largely led by [Florida International University](/colleges/florida-international-university), while it’s the Atlantic 10 Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, District of Columbia ranks highest, with particular help from [American University](/colleges/american-university) and [George Washington University](/colleges/george-washington-university).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more international relations and affairs graduates than [Troy University](/colleges/troy-university), which graduated 647 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study international relations and affairs). More students studied international relations and affairs as a percentage of total students at [American University](/colleges/american-university) than any other college.



 ### COST

 International relations and affairs is the 7th most expensive major in America, with a median cost of $54,705 amongst the top 50 programs (just ahead of #8, [Italian Studies](rankings/best-colleges-for-italian-studies), with a median cost of $54,690).

 New England has the most expensive schools with great international relations and affairs programs predominantly led by [Connecticut College](/colleges/connecticut-college) with an annual cost of $56,540. The most expensive state for international relations and affairs is Rhode Island led by [Brown University](/colleges/brown-university).

 Public schools with good programs generally charge 75.57% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 43.48% less than the median private school. So make sure to take a look at public shools in your state ASAP.

 The most expensive top 25 college for international relations and affairs is [University of Chicago](/colleges/university-of-chicago), which is the 10th most expensive college in the United States. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo). It costs just $5,790 per year but is ranked 99th for its international relations and affairs program. If you’re looking for the least expensive option in the top 25, [Florida International University](/colleges/florida-international-university)  is probably a good fit for you, ranked #20 with an in-state cost of just $4,721. Another more affordable pick would be #17, [Florida State University](/colleges/florida-state-university) in Leon County, FL with a cost of $4,022 for in-state students and $16,540 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Begining college is a huge investment for most. It's important to ensure you justify that investment. It is our goal that the following job placement and earnings facts help you make an intelligent decision when picking your major.

 The average International Relations and Affairs alumni makes a starting salary of $46,864 a year (top 28%). With experience in their professions, they typically draw somewhere between $27,134 and $108,829, but average about $53,872. To put it in context, that is 39% north of the nation wide average.

 The most popular job placement for an International Relations and Affairs graduate is Analyst, which predominantly earn close to $54,000; next are Business Development Representative and Account Executive, which normally make about $42,000 and $36,000 respectively.

 New England has the best paid International Relations and Affairs graduates. RI has the highest earning International Relations and Affairs graduates of any state. Pacific-12 Conference has the highest earning International Relations and Affairs graduates of any conference..



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for International Relations and Affairs: Median Professor Rating: 4 / 5, which is average.

 Professors oftentimes have a monumental influence your college experience, regardless of your major. An effective teacher could help a student find their passion and even make a difficult subject seem fun. Conversely, an ineffective professor can disenchant you from a subject or even worse... flunk you!

 Professors of International Relations and Affairs have a median student rating of 4 out of 5, putting them in the top 47th percentile in America based on student satisfaction. Suprisingly, this major is exactly the median for professor rating, which, in our opinion, is remarkably average! Professors of International Relations and Affairs just edged-out those from ["Behavioral Sciences"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-behavioral-sciences), whereas ["Nuclear Medical Technology"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-nuclear-medical-technology)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above International Relations and Affairs.

 Now for some statistics about International Relations and Affairs professors. Colleges located in remote rural areas tend to have the best International Relations and Affairs professors. The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference has the highest rated International Relations and Affairs professors. The Southeast region has the highest rated International Relations and Affairs professors. Public colleges tend to have higher rated International Relations and Affairs professors than private schools. Finally, Hawaii has the highest rated International Relations and Affairs professors in the United States.

 Kenneth Abbott, instructor at [University of Houston](/colleges/university-of-houston)&nbspin Houston, TX is the most popular International Relations and Affairs professor in the United States. Nick Rowell, instructor at [Cabrillo College](/colleges/cabrillo-college)&nbspin Aptos, CA is the highest rated International Relations and Affairs professor in the nation, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 See which schools have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College often is a vastly significant time in one's life; it is a chance for personal progress and evolution. Scholars continue to learn who they wish to emulate and forge the integral skills to be a prosperous member of society. But learning also happens outside a classroom - the conversations one has with their schoolmates, the wild anecdote gained from an old instructor, the exposure to a different perspective. As such, a diverse univeristy experience vastly enhances what one gains from the time spent at college.

 International Relations and Affairs is a more ethnically diverse focus than average\*. 54% of the nation's International Relations and Affairs majors are white students, followed by students of other races\*\*(18%), latino students (14%), and asian students (8%). The most racially diverse college\* in the top 100 is [Emory University](/colleges/emory-university) located in Atlanta, GA.

 In addition, International Relations and Affairs significatly skews female, with 3/5 of students majoring in International Relations and Affairs identifying as women. [Gettysburg College](/colleges/gettysburg-college) in Gettysburg, PA has the most gender balanced student body in the top 100.

 Another important type of diversity is class diversity. Unfortunately, International Relations and Affairs ranks in the bottom 7% of programs income diversity. 37% of its students come from families making more than $110,000 a year, 16% are from upper middle income households, and 20% grew up in families bringing in below $30,000 a year. [Allegheny College](/colleges/allegheny-college) has the most economically diverse students in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall CA is the most diverse state for International Relations and Affairs. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the University Athletic Association is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 8%
* Black: 5%
* Latino: 14%
* White: 54%
* Other: 18%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 40%
* Female: 60%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 20%
* 30k - 48k: 13%
* 48k - 75k: 15%
* 75k - 110k: 16%
* Over 110k: 37%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 56%
* Out of State: 36%
* International: 8%


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There are about 27,284 students enrolled in International Relations and Affairs in the USA.

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There are about 27,284 students enrolled in International Relations and Affairs in the USA.

PROFESSORS