by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 86 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying international studies schools.
What’s on this page:
The international studies program you select can have a big impact on your future earnings. That is why we built our Highest Paid International Studies Graduates ranking. It looks at the median early-career salaries graduates earn, so you can find the schools whose international studies degrees pay off the most.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Highest Paid International Studies Graduates list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Below are the schools whose international studies graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in international studies, no school beat Seattle University this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Seattle University make a median of around $84,486 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Bentley University one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the city of Waltham, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Bentley University make a median of around $75,006 per year.
A rank of #3 makes American Public University System one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,481.
Strong graduate earnings at Providence College earned it the #4 place for international studies. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. International Studies graduates of Providence College earn a median of about $71,548 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Boston College one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,227.
Kenyon College earned the #6 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Kenyon College typically earn about $60,485 annually.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Bothell. International Studies graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of about $59,227 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #8 for international studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public school located in the city of Tacoma. International Studies graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $59,227 a year early in their careers.
Colby College earned the #9 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Colby College make a median of around $79,364 per year.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #10 spot for international studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College make a median of around $56,651 per year.
University Of California San Diego came in at #11 for international studies graduate earnings this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego typically earn about $73,765 annually.
Drexel University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,524.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,091.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot for international studies salaries this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. International Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $74,259 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. International Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $77,658 a year early in their careers.
Sewanee The University Of The South ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,486.
Bryn Mawr College landed the #17 spot for international studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Bryn Mawr College typically earn about $51,494 annually.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot for international studies salaries this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,793.
Brandeis University came in at #19 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Brandeis University typically earn about $69,903 annually.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #20 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,115.
University Of Central Florida came in at #21 for international studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Central Florida is a public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,756.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #22 spot for international studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. International Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $61,225 a year early in their careers.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. International Studies graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $48,631 a year early in their careers.
Michigan State University came in at #24 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,935.
University Of Utah placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,104.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid international studies ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their international studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 86 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
