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 highest-paying schools turn a international studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 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.
For graduate earnings in international studies, no school beat North Carolina State University At Raleigh this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from North Carolina State University At Raleigh make a median of around $45,648 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,937.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Wilmington one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,663.
Strong graduate earnings at Appalachian State University earned it the #4 place for international studies. Located 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.
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 · 4 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.