by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying international studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send international studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in international studies, no school beat Kenyon College 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.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor typically earn about $72,091 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Madison produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $61,225 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. International Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $62,935 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Dayton earned it the #5 place for international studies. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Dayton make a median of around $55,869 per year.
Western Michigan University landed the #6 spot for international studies salaries this year. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. International Studies graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of about $54,564 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #7 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee typically earn about $54,140 annually.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #8 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus typically earn about $32,819 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #9 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point typically earn about $40,161 annually.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #10 spot for international studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $30,438 annually.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus typically earn about $29,013 annually.
Saint Marys College came in at #12 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Saint Marys College typically earn about $25,164 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 · 12 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.