by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a international studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying international studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose international studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the top school for international studies graduate earnings in California. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. International Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of about $73,765 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #2 place 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.
University Of California Berkeley produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $46,660 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Santa Barbara earned it the #4 place for international studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,890.
Pepperdine University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Studies graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of about $58,137 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Irvine landed the #6 spot for international studies salaries this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,832.
University Of San Francisco landed the #7 spot for international studies salaries this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $86,010.
University Of Southern California came in at #8 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $58,010 per year.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #9 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,246.
University Of California Riverside ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,595.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for international studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach typically earn about $31,589 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries international studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 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.