International Relations · Illinois

International Relations colleges in Illinois

CampusPin lists 123 U.S. colleges in Illinois that offer International Relations programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

International Relations studies how countries, institutions, and global actors interact through politics, law, and diplomacy, for students drawn to world affairs and policy.

Schools in Illinois that offer International Relations

International Relations programs in Illinois: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 123 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

123

Public / private

25 / 25

Universities / 2-year

27 / 23

Cities represented

31

In-state tuition range

$3,180–$55,704

Median in-state tuition

$13,079

Lowest published in-state tuition

Elgin Community College

$3,180

Most selective

Chicago State University

41% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

DePaul University

21,257 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a International Relations program

  • International relations theory and explanations of state behavior
  • Foreign policy analysis and decision-making
  • International law and the role of global organizations
  • Comparative politics across countries and regions
  • International political economy, trade, and development
  • Diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution
  • Foreign language proficiency and cross-cultural communication
  • Qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Senior thesis, capstone, or model diplomacy simulation

Where a International Relations degree can lead

  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Policy Analyst
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • International Development Specialist
  • NGO Program Manager
  • Diplomatic Affairs Specialist

Typical pay: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 political scientists median $139,380).

International Relations examines how nations and global institutions cooperate, compete, and resolve conflict across borders. Students study the theories that explain why states behave as they do, analyze foreign policy decisions, and learn how treaties, international law, and organizations shape outcomes on issues like trade, security, human rights, and migration. Coursework pairs the comparative study of particular countries and regions with the practice of diplomacy and negotiation, and many programs encourage students to build reading proficiency in a foreign language. The field draws on political science but turns its lens outward toward the system of states rather than inward toward a single country's domestic government, and it leans more on history, economics, and language than the data-modeling focus of a quantitative policy or economics degree.

The major is typically offered as a bachelor's degree, often within a political science or government department, and it generally does not involve laboratory or clinical work; instead, hands-on learning comes through research seminars, model diplomacy simulations, study abroad, internships, and a senior thesis or capstone. There is no single license to practice the field. Graduates frequently pursue a master's degree to advance into analytical and specialist roles, and entry into government service often requires a competitive written examination and a security clearance. People with this background work in government agencies and foreign service, international and nongovernmental organizations, research institutes and think tanks, advocacy groups, multinational businesses, and journalism; any accreditation or credential expectations for a specific employer or graduate path should be verified directly.

In federal data for the closely related occupation of political scientists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $139,380 and projects employment to decline about 3.1% from 2024 to 2034; a master's degree is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.

International Relations in other states

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Find more International Relations schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 123+ International Relations programs in Illinois by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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