100 Best colleges for International Relations and Diplomacy in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in International Relations and Diplomacy. A graph of 594K citations received by 25K academic papers made by 160 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#1 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

2. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#2 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

3. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#3 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,083

4. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#4 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

5. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#5 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

6. American University in Washington

District of Columbia | Washington

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#6 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $39,676

7. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#7 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

8. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#8 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

9. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#9 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

10. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#12 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

11. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#13 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

12. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#14 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

13. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#15 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

14. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#16 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

15. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#19 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

16. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#20 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

17. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#21 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

18. New York University

New York State | New York City

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#22 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

19. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#23 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

20. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#26 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

21. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#27 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

22. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#28 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

23. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#29 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

24. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#30 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

25. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#31 in North America

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

26. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#32 in North America

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

27. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#33 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

28. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#34 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

29. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#35 in North America

#77 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

30. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#36 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

31. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#37 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

32. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#38 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

33. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#39 in North America

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,367

34. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#40 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

35. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#41 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

36. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#42 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

37. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#43 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

38. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#44 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

39. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#45 in North America

#96 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

40. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#46 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

41. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#47 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

42. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#48 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

43. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#49 in North America

#103 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

44. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#50 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

45. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#51 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

46. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#52 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

47. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#53 in North America

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

48. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#54 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

49. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#55 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

50. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#56 in North America

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1060
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

51. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#57 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,303

52. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#59 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

53. San Francisco State University

California | San Francisco

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#60 in North America

#135 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Receiving Aid: 81%
Average Aid: $12,996
Enrollment: 22,563

54. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#61 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

55. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#62 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

56. College of William and Mary

Virginia | Williamsburg

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#63 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 55%

57. University of North Texas

Texas | Denton

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#64 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 90%

58. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#65 in North America

#145 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

59. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#66 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

60. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#67 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

61. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#69 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 88%

62. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#70 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

63. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#71 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

64. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#72 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $39,147

65. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#73 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

66. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#74 in North America

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

67. University of Massachusetts - Boston

Massachusetts | Boston

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#76 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 92%

68. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#77 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

69. Kent State University at Kent

Ohio | Kent

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#80 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 97%

70. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#81 in North America

#178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $16,694

71. Miami University - Oxford

Ohio | Oxford

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#82 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 98%

72. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#83 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

73. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#85 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

74. University of Denver

Colorado | Denver

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#87 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $45,451

75. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#88 in North America

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

76. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#89 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

77. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#90 in North America

#197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

78. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#91 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,519

79. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#92 in North America

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $6,347

80. Binghamton University

New York State | Vestal

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#93 in North America

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1420
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 79%

81. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#95 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

82. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#96 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $11,210
Enrollment: 17,560

83. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#98 in North America

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

84. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#100 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

85. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#101 in North America

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

86. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#103 in North America

#229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

87. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#104 in North America

#231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

88. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#105 in North America

#232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

89. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#106 in North America

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

90. Wellesley College

Massachusetts | Wellesley

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#107 in North America

#240 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,174

91. Macalester College

Minnesota | Saint Paul

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#108 in North America

#247 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $40,225

92. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#109 in North America

#253 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

93. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#110 in North America

#254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

94. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#112 in North America

#262 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

95. University of Memphis

Tennessee | Memphis

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#114 in North America

#265 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1048
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 95%

96. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#115 in North America

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

97. John Brown University

Arkansas | Siloam Springs

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#116 in North America

#268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1205
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $21,537

98. Bowling Green State University

Ohio | Bowling Green

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#117 in North America

#269 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 99%

99. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#118 in North America

#272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $47,427

100. Kansas State University

Kansas State | Manhattan

For International Relations and Diplomacy

#119 in North America

#277 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

The best cities to study International Relations and Diplomacy in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Columbus, New York, Washington, and Los Angeles.