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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find where international studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose international studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Hofstra University the top school for international studies graduate earnings in New York. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Studies graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of about $62,712 a year early in their careers.
The New School produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. The New School is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. International Studies graduates of The New School earn a median of about $45,612 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in international studies will find them at St Lawrence University, which ranked #3. St Lawrence University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Canton. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,281.
This list is compiled 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 · 3 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.