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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying international studies schools.
What’s on this page:
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 Texas. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. 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. Early-career international studies graduates from Texas A And M University College Station make a median of around $62,793 per year.
Saint Edwards University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Saint Edwards University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,748.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Texas one of the highest-paying schools for international studies. 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 produces some of the highest-paid graduates in international studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school located in the city of San Marcos. Early-career international studies graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $37,397 per year.
Texas Tech University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. 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 earned the #7 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,118.
The ranking above is published 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.