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 12 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.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #1 spot for highest-paid international studies graduates in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from The University Of Texas At Austin make a median of around $74,259 per year.
Texas A And M University College Station produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,793.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus make a median of around $67,948 per year.
Saint Edwards University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,748.
Arizona State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. International Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $51,348 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Arizona State University Skysong make a median of around $51,348 per year.
University Of North Texas earned the #7 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas typically earn about $49,046 annually.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #8 spot for international studies salaries this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. International Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of about $37,397 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arizona came in at #9 for international studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Arizona is a public school located in the city of Tucson. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Arizona make a median of around $50,506 per year.
Texas Tech University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Texas Tech University make a median of around $33,504 per year.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for international studies. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington typically earn about $29,118 annually.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #12 for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,238.
This list is compiled 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 · 12 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.