2026 Best International/Global Studies Schools in California
International/Global Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international/global studies programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international/global studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for International/Global Studies in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international/global studies education in California.
Top Schools in International/Global Studies
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 ranking of the best international/global studies schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 international/global studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $46,660. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $15,636 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/global studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 international/global studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the international/global studies program make about $39,082 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best international/global studies schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 12 international/global studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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University Of California San Diego came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best international/global studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 384 international/global studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international/global studies program make about $45,168 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
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Point Loma Nazarene University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international/global studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 14 international/global studies degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. International/global Studies graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $54,116 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,542.
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University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #6 spot for international/global studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 133 international/global studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their international/global studies degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $33,553 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international/global studies from University Of California Santa Barbara
California Maritime Academy placed #7 among the best international/global studies schools. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 international/global studies students who graduated with this degree at California Maritime Academy in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international/global studies program make about $84,745 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,249.
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University Of California Irvine placed #8 among the best international/global studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 102 international/global studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international/global studies degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $33,388 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250.
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University Of Southern California earned the #9 position for international/global studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 international/global studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international/global studies program make about $58,871 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
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San Diego State University placed #10 among the best international/global studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 10 international/global studies students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. International/global Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree.
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California State University Monterey Bay landed the #11 spot for international/global studies this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 12 international/global studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international/global studies program make about $34,246 in their early career. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $14,093 in student loans.
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California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best international/global studies schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 21 international/global studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international/global studies program make about $31,589 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,454.
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Humboldt State University came in at #13 for international/global studies this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Humboldt State University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 international/global studies students who graduated with this degree at Humboldt State University in the most recent data year. International/global Studies graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $34,928 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,129.
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University Of San Francisco ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best international/global studies schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 international/global studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $47,476. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans.
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University Of California Riverside placed #15 among the best international/global studies schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of California Riverside awarded about 19 international/global studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $21,428. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international/global studies from University Of California Riverside
Pepperdine University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best international/global studies schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 international/global studies students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international/global studies degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $36,920. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 34 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.