by our College Data Analytics Team
[International Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/international-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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 University Of Pennsylvania the top school for international studies graduate earnings in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $279,784.
Strong graduate earnings at Drexel University earned it the #2 place for international studies. Located 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.
Students chasing top earnings in international studies will find them at Bryn Mawr College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Bryn Mawr College make a median of around $51,494 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in international studies will find them at University Of Maryland Baltimore County, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County typically earn about $49,115 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in international studies will find them at Hofstra University, which ranked #5. Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Hofstra University typically earn about $62,712 annually.
Arcadia University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Arcadia University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. International Studies graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of about $52,123 a year early in their careers.
The New School came in at #7 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,612.
St Lawrence University came in at #8 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from St Lawrence University make a median of around $47,281 per year.
Temple University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,754.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Early-career international studies graduates from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $30,124 per year.
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 · 10 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.