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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their international studies graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 schools on the early-career earnings of their international studies graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose international studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Seattle University the top school for international studies graduate earnings in the United States. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $84,486.
Strong graduate earnings at Bentley University earned it the #2 place for international studies. Set 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.
American Public University System produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $83,481 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Providence College one of the highest-paying schools 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Boston College earned it the #5 place for international studies. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Boston College typically earn about $81,227 annually.
Kenyon College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Kenyon College make a median of around $60,485 per year.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #7 spot for international studies salaries this year. 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 placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,227.
Colby College came in at #9 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located 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 came in at #10 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College typically earn about $56,651 annually.
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. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $73,765 per year.
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. International Studies graduates of Drexel University earn a median of about $78,524 a year early in their careers.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor typically earn about $72,091 annually.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,259.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of California Los Angeles make a median of around $77,658 per year.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #16 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a private not-for-profit institution. International Studies graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of about $65,486 a year early in their careers.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Bryn Mawr College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,494.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot for international studies salaries this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,793.
Brandeis University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,903.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Maryland Baltimore County make a median of around $49,115 per year.
University Of Central Florida ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. 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 earned the #22 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,225.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,631.
Michigan State University came in at #24 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $62,935 annually.
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. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Utah typically earn about $64,104 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid international studies ranking:
Explore the highest-paying international studies schools at other degree levels:
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.
