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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their international studies graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their international studies graduates.
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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 University Of Northern Colorado this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. International Studies graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $48,631 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Utah earned it the #2 place for international studies. University Of Utah is a public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. International Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of about $64,104 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Colorado Boulder one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school located in the city of Boulder. International Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $54,974 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in international studies will find them at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #4. Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho typically earn about $54,564 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school located in the city of Fort Collins. International Studies graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $52,921 a year early in their careers.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #6 spot for international studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Colorado Denver make a median of around $48,914 per year.
University Of Wyoming earned the #7 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Wyoming typically earn about $41,127 annually.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 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.