2023 Best Colleges for International Relations in America

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,246 reviews

Alum: I have a complicated with Georgetown. On an institutional level, I often felt unsupported and that I had to pave my own way. But the people I met there made it all worth it — from my close peers and on-campus supervisors to my favorite faculty and spiritual advisors. I also appreciated that my academic path at Georgetown was self-driven and challenging without leading to strained intellectual relationship between students.... Read 1,246 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 12%

• Net price $23,049

• SAT range 1410-1550

• New Haven, CT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1,021 reviews

Sophomore: Yale has been a fun and enjoyable experience overall. I would definitely choose Yale again if I had to re-do my college application. Academics: some departments are better taught than other departments. Yale can be weaker in CS and Math compared to other universities, but most alums are still very successful. Like most colleges, there is a lot of independent learning and there are numerous resources to help you. The environment is not competitive unless premed. Social life: Yale has an AMAZING social life compared to other universities of equal caliber. There is always something going on and you can be as social as you want. Social life is nonexistent during midterm season. There are parties, frats, concerts, woads, club formals, and many other events. Sports: Not a big sports school but many students are involved in club sports. Yale dining is delicious and healthy!... Read 1,021 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 5%

• Net price $20,605

• SAT range 1480-1580

• Providence, RI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  1,058 reviews

Niche User: I am currently enrolled as an incoming freshman at Brown University but I have been fortunate to participate in two of their pre-college programs. Overall, the academic resources and opportunities to explore STEM-based passions are incredibly diverse and accessible. The campus has amazing faculty that are engaged in the subject, both in and out of the classroom. They provide insightful feedback and support, especially as I had little experience doing lab work in high school. Outside the classroom, there were countless facilities and events that covered a wide variety of interests. These helped me foster a strong sense of community as I was able to connect with peers of similar likes during these events. I love how interconnected the university is with the larger city of Providence, which makes both professional and recreational engagement more accessible. Lastly, the Brown community was incredibly welcoming and supportive. Everyone there was proactive and engaged!... Read 1,058 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $25,028

• SAT range 1460-1570

• Stanford, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,255 reviews

Junior: I attended for about 2.5 years before taking a leave of absence; I've returned this spring to finish my degree. I am happy to report that the things I previously appreciated about this school have stayed: financial aid, focus on diversity, and pursuit of intellectual curiosity. There are also things that have improved, such as administration's customer service. And, on top of it all, we are able to appreciate a beautiful campus that is saturated with a variety of trees, flowers, and shrubbery that house a similarly large variety of birds.... Read 1,255 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $14,402

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  3,946 reviews

Sophomore: I like USC! There's a large and diverse student body, but still resources available. The class sizes can get pretty big, but there are also a lot of classes of ~ 30 students or less. People seem to have a good work-life balance. There are a lot of fun things to do around the school, as well as a number of enjoyable school events, many of which are free. I feel like I am learning a lot.... Read 3,946 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $26,021

• SAT range 1410-1540

• Philadelphia, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,317 reviews

Freshman: While my experience at Penn has been overwhelmingly positive, there are areas that I believe could be improved. One aspect I would like to see change is a greater emphasis on mental health support and resources. College can be a challenging and stressful time for many students, and it is crucial that the university continues to prioritize the well-being of its students by expanding mental health services and promoting a culture of self-care and balance. Additionally, I would love to see more efforts toward fostering inclusivity and diversity on campus. While Penn is home to a diverse student body, it is essential that the university continues to create an environment where all students feel seen, heard, and supported. This includes initiatives that promote diversity in the curriculum, increase the representation of marginalized voices, and provide resources for cultural understanding and dialogue.... Read 1,317 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 6%

• Net price $14,578

• SAT range 1480-1570

• Medford, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,051 reviews

Senior: Tufts is the best place to spend your undergraduate years! Tufts is a prestigious university where the administration cares deeply about their students, it's a tight-knit community, it's located 12 minutes from the BOS airport, it has a suburban feel with a full campus only a quick ride from downtown Boston, it has a wide array of possible classes to take, you'll have collaborative and ambitious peers, cozy on-campus and off-campus dorm options, and leave with no regrets about coming here. Not to mention you'll get to experience all of Boston's seasons in full swing as well as explore many parts of New England.... Read 1,051 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $31,630

• SAT range 1440-1550

• Baltimore, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  1,381 reviews

Junior: I came in as a transfer from a community college, and my first semester was quite rough. The transition from community college to a 4-year university was not what I was expecting. The courses were more rigorous, the classes were larger in size and had more students in them, and the campus was bigger than I expected. From classes to social life, I was lost. In my second semester, though, everything started to change. I was more comfortable with the campus and made more friends. Changing from Biology to public health was an excellent decision for me, as I got to explore classes that I was interested in. The research opportunities and connections you can make here are endless, and I think is one of the greatest strengths at Hopkins.... Read 1,381 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 8%

• Net price $20,680

• SAT range 1470-1560

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  2,175 reviews

Sophomore: I really like the campus environment. It is welcoming and feels like a small campus, but located in the busy Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington DC. You are fully integrated into the city while experiencing the opportunities of a college campus. The internship opportunities and connections to both the public and private sector are plentiful. The dorms could improve. Dorm staff are nice but frequently slow to respond or unavailable.... Read 2,175 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 50%

• Net price $31,240

• SAT range 1310-1490

• Saint Louis, MO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,540 reviews

Freshman: I am an incoming freshman in the fall and I am extremely excited to attend! I am a recruited soccer player and have already met the entire team and coaches; everyone is so nice and supportive, and I enjoyed touring the school field and brand new athletic facilities with them. WashU also has a very strong Jewish community which is very important to me, and I plan on being an active member of the hillel and chabbad on campus. Finally, I am excited to attend Olin Business School to study finance and continue my passion for complex problem solving in the business world.... Read 1,540 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $28,298

• SAT range 1490-1570

• Ann Arbor, MI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  4,555 reviews

Junior: An amazing school filled with wonderful people (students, faculty, residents). So many opportunities for students to explore different parts of their education and passion. Great location with a downtown that is always busy with different restaurants, shops, bars, studios, and even the cutest weekend farmers market. At this school you will never be bored- there are always people who want to play sports, go out, go to the gym, study together, etc. I have never been happier. It is such a perfect, fun, exciting, fulfilling school to go to. Not a single bad thing to say (besides maybe that the winters are not the most fun but everything else totally makes up for that). If you love Michigan, you really LOVE Michigan! Wolverine forever. Go blue!... Read 4,555 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 20%

• Net price $19,205

• SAT range 1340-1520

• Charlottesville, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  2,353 reviews

Sophomore: At first I was weary of going here because of me being a minority but it is honestly very inclusive and I have never once felt discriminated or looked down upon because of my race. I love all the clubs and resources they offer to all different types of students. Just this year my friend was easily able to help the start up of a sustainability fraternity on grounds and I feel like those are the types of opportunities at UVA that make it wonderful. If I could see one thing change about the University I would say they could improve the advising system for students. I think my advisor has no information on what I want to do when I graduate or how I get there. Maybe have separate people for advising and not just give random professors that job. Still I couldn't see myself at any other university.... Read 2,353 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 21%

• Net price $20,401

• SAT range 1380-1500

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  416 reviews

Alum: Pomona College was a very transformative space for me. The small class sizes and strong sense of community among professors and students really helped me thrive. I was surrounded by intellectually curious peers and inspiring professors during my four years. Beyond academics, there were an abundance of research and work opportunities to help explore my passions and potential career interests that I would not have been able to do in a larger school. I was able to pursue athletics at the collegiate level, work as a teaching research assistant, and organize community events— the opportunities were endless if you really searched for them. I also cannot forget how beautiful the campus was and how amazing the dining hall food was! Beyond the Pomona College community, you also have access to a consortium of four more top undergraduate colleges (Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer) where you can take classes at and connect with a whole new network of students and professors.... Read 416 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $17,000

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Evanston, IL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  1,456 reviews

Freshman: Northwestern University is one of the most diverse campuses in the nation--students are involved in multiple extracurricular activities with more than 30% completing double majors. This serves as the perfect playing field for my passions in both medicine and music, as Northwestern provides me the best opportunity to fulfill both of my interests in one place.... Read 1,456 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $29,999

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Swarthmore, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  424 reviews

Alum: Life changing. Not only because of the quality of professors and the teacher to student ratio, but because the student body is so extraordinary. Living with and around people who are major achievers rubs off on you. Being there raised my standards 1000% because that is what I had to do just to keep up. And that habit stayed with me for the rest of my life. It produced a wonderful, successful life and work experience. Proud to be a Swattie!... Read 424 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 8%

• Net price $19,733

• SAT range 1430-1560

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  424 reviews

Sophomore: Incredible students. They are all approachable, motivated, and conscientious. The resources presented to the students are off the charts. CMC pays you to take internships. If you need business attire, the school will cover it. If you want to travel to look at Grad Schools, the school will cover the cost. They take you on "Networking Treks" every few months, where you meet with Alumni and talk about your career paths. The food is great (you can eat from all 5 dining halls). If you take advantage of the schools resources and opportunities, you will be extremely successful. Because CMC students are confident, learning is collaborative, not competitive. Student engagement is not only encouraged, but expected. If you yearn to be in an environment of students who prioritize proactivity, CMC is the school that will put you on the path to success.... Read 424 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $21,663

• SAT range 1420-1530

• Boston, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  3,552 reviews

Senior: For context I am going into my last year at BU (my 3rd year). I really think that BU's greatest strength and asset for students is the faculty that you get a chance to meet here. Whether you are looking for personal or professional guidance there is a large pool of talent and wisdom that you can pull from coming from the professors and phd students. Students are presented with the opportunity to really grow as individuals and learn more about themselves and their beliefs without the overbearing presence of hand holding through the process. However, I am nervous that this opportunity is under threat and is the most pressing challenge that the University faces in the coming years. I believe that the faculty and administration needs to wrestle control back form the student governments as their initiatives are asking for more direct administrative intervention to help ensure students have a "safe" experience. This would undermines the greatest strength of the school.... Read 3,552 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 19%

• Net price $25,852

• SAT range 1360-1520

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  2,513 reviews

Sophomore: I would say that this university exemplifies what it means to be part of not just a university, but simultaneously a community. American University, while certainly providing exemplary classes and educational opportunities, is integrally where any prospective student can find a place to be and feel welcome. When college was approaching, I was heavily frightened by the prospect of being forced to make new friends and the difficulties which come with that. Instead, both those within my class and above were very social, helpful and kind in aiding me with navigating this tough transition. Not only do I feel like a well-established student with teachers happy to help me, but I also feel like I have a family and a place I can always come back to. As for change, I think placing for emphasis on student events may be something the university should look into. While they do a spectacular job of this near the beginning and end of the year, I think this could be done better in other parts.... Read 2,513 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $28,622

• SAT range 1280-1440

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  5,439 reviews

Sophomore: UCLA is amazing. Large student body but the classes and professors are outstanding. Great Greek system and social environment. Very fun school and the campus is gorgeous. Very academically challenging but with hard work and dedication the course load is manageable. The University is surrounded by beautiful cities. It is only 5 miles away from the Santa Monica Beaches. On numerous occasions groups of friends take breaks and have beach days. UCLA is located very close to Beverly Hills and Century City. The dining and entertainment option are endless. As a student you can be immersed in your studies at a gorgeous school in the day and at night explore the amazing nightlife in Los Angeles. UCLA has a ton of clubs, events and activities that you can participate in. In addition, the student resources are fantastic. However, you must be a self-starter and explore and take advantage of all of the opportunities and resources that UCLA offers. And the food is outstanding.... Read 5,439 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $13,393

• SAT range —

• Hamilton, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  1,040 reviews

Alum: Colgate is great school and its a school that is on the rise. Academics are quite rigorous and most of the departments are world-class. More specifically, the economics program is very competitive and many grads get put into FO positions on Wall Street. Some BBs do recruit on campus, so there is a pipeline. The social scene is dominated heavily by Greek life. If you are not a part of Greek life its not the end of the world since there are plenty of other clubs and organizations to join. It is important to note that Colgate is not super diverse. The student body is comprised mostly of white, affluent individuals so, POC might struggle to integrate with majority.... Read 1,040 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 17%

• Net price $24,500

• SAT range 1350-1500

• Atlanta, GA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  1,585 reviews

Junior: Emory has research opportunities, clinical opportunities, and a core curriculum that caters to pre-health students.... Read 1,585 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $28,367

• SAT range 1420-1540

• Northfield, MN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  518 reviews

Sophomore: Full of warm people and chilly weather! Lots of liberal arts colleges will pass out fancy brochures that claim "a strong sense of community" with inviting phrases like "close-knit" and "supportive peers" but I never knew that that really meant until I came to Carleton. Have a question about financial aid? Balancing course work? Class content? Special accommodations? There is someone on campus whose job it is to help you. More than that, someone that actually cares about helping you-- who will follow up and check in. That being said, going to school here can be a lot to manage. Attending somewhere this academically rigorous takes its toll on stress levels, sleep, and having the time to be social. My take: passionate professors and a unique student body create a one of a kind and worthwhile college experience so far.... Read 518 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 18%

• Net price $31,718

• SAT range 1370-1550

• Chestnut Hill, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  1,561 reviews

Niche User: Boston college is a great school! I recently got admitted to Boston College. I applied them through an organization called Quest-bridge that helps students that are minorities and come from low income families. Due to that, I got full tuition from Boston College. I really appreciate that Boston College is giving an opportunity to high achieving successful students since not everyone had the same opportunities growing up. In addition, I have been on Boston College tour before. It was magical there. The campus was the prettiest. More importantly, the admissions counselors were super kind to me when I went there. They answered all of my questions, and I kept in touch with them. I think this may be one of the reasons I was admitted. I think I can best express myself in interviews, since BC doesn't do interviews, it was definitely beneficial for me to show my personality to an admissions officer. The campus environment over all looked so chill, just like a family. See you at BC!... Read 1,561 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 19%

• Net price $30,159

• SAT range 1420-1530

• Austin, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  6,580 reviews

Junior: The University of Texas at Austin provides a multitude of opportunities to help students succeed. UT offers some of the most incredible research opportunities, internships, study abroad programs, and organizations of any Texas school. There are programs gauged to any possible interest a student may have, whether for business or pleasure. UT allows students to gain experience in their fields before applying to their dream jobs, thus strengthening their applications and generating an interest in becoming the best one can be in their field. However, the +/- GPA scale at UT can be hard to overcome. Most courses require a 93 or above to award a 4.0 to the student, with 90-92.99 being considered an "A-" (3.67) and 87-89 being B+(3.33). This scale continues in the same pattern down to an F, but there is no A+ to offset an A-. However, there are plenty of opportunities to succeed in tutoring centers, office hours, discussion sections, and study groups.... Read 6,580 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 29%

• Net price $16,589

• SAT range 1230-1500

• Wellesley, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  618 reviews

Sophomore: Professors are great, classes are small (never had a class over 30 people, some classes less than 15.) Research opportunities in STEM are very good, there’s a variety of interesting (but small) labs on campus with very supportive PIs whose main priority is helping you grow as a researcher. The connection with MIT is great- I know students who do research and take classes there, I have not done this yet but hope too (it can be hard to schedule) People are very kind, generally accepting of all backgrounds but not all viewpoints. So far, my one year here has been great. The people and academics are really what make Wellesley special to me, and the beautiful campus is a huge bonus. Doesn’t make sense to me why the campus isn’t rated higher. My main complaint is cost. Wellesley is too expensive, but most top schools are the same. I think it is worth it even though I have to take out some loans, but I hope this changes in the future. Meal plan is also crazy expensive for what it is.... Read 618 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 16%

• Net price $21,862

• SAT range 1400-1540