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 16 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.
For graduate earnings in international studies, no school beat American Public University System this year. American Public University System is a private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $83,481 annually.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College typically earn about $56,651 annually.
Sewanee The University Of The South produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South typically earn about $65,486 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in international studies will find them at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida typically earn about $63,756 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #5 place for international studies. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. International Studies graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of about $45,648 a year early in their careers.
Spelman College earned the #6 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Spelman College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,556.
University Of Florida came in at #7 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $64,698 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #8 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. International Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of about $46,937 a year early in their careers.
University Of Kentucky placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Kentucky make a median of around $52,705 per year.
University Of North Florida placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of North Florida make a median of around $44,186 per year.
Centre College came in at #11 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Centre College typically earn about $35,367 annually.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #12 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,724.
College Of Charleston ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,041.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #14 spot for international studies salaries this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public school located in the city of Wilmington. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington make a median of around $44,663 per year.
Liberty University landed the #15 spot for international studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. International Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of about $30,349 a year early in their careers.
Appalachian State University came in at #16 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Appalachian State University typically earn about $23,073 annually.
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 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.
