2027 Best International Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
International Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 88 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best international studies schools.
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Best Schools for International Studies in the United States
See the highest-ranked international studies schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.
Top Schools in International Studies
Colby College tops our 2027 ranking of the best international studies schools. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Colby College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $42,756 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong international studies program will find one at Boston College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 67 international studies degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $51,371 in their early career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for international studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $46,660 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete this degree.
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Southern Methodist University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best international studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 14 international studies degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans.
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University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international studies, ranking #5. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $39,082. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #6 position for international studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 119 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $44,446. Students borrow a median of $15,053 to complete this degree.
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Kenyon College landed the #7 spot for international studies this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Kenyon College awarded about 16 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $37,976. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete this degree.
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University Of California San Diego landed the #8 spot for international studies this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 369 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $45,168 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Notre Dame ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best international studies schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 21 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $69,362 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for international studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 45 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $204,927 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #11 spot for international studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 107 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $33,553 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin placed #12 among the best international studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 160 international studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,701. Typical student debt for the program is $18,535.
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Georgetown University placed #13 among the best international studies schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 38 international studies degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
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Texas A And M University College Station ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best international studies schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 122 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $41,886. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
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California Maritime Academy placed #15 among the best international studies schools. This small public university is located in the city of Vallejo. About 60% of students finish within six years. California Maritime Academy awarded about 13 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $84,745 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,249.
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California State University San Marcos earned the #16 position for international studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 12 international studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #17 for international studies this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 75 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,469.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #18 for international studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 international studies students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $45,648. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
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University At Buffalo came in at #19 for international studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree.
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College Of The Holy Cross earned the #20 position for international studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Worcester. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. College Of The Holy Cross awarded about 13 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $46,530 early in their careers. College Of The Holy Cross graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
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Washington University In St Louis placed #21 among the best international studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 57 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $38,854 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans.
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University Of California Irvine landed the #22 spot for international studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 111 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $33,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of Richmond earned the #23 position for international studies this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Richmond awarded about 18 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $53,815 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634.
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San Diego State University placed #24 among the best international studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 international studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417.
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Loyola University Chicago placed #25 among the best international studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $58,568 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 International Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for international studies this year:
Other International Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare International Studies rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 88 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.