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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find where international studies graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose international studies graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Kansas earned the #1 spot for highest-paid international studies graduates in the The Plains States Region. University Of Kansas is a public school located in the city of Lawrence. Early-career international studies graduates from University Of Kansas make a median of around $46,343 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #2 place for international studies. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. International Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $54,194 a year early in their careers.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Washington University In St Louis make a median of around $38,854 per year.
Luther College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,587.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Iowa earned it the #5 place for international studies. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,488.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #6 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha typically earn about $42,037 annually.
Macalester College earned the #7 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Macalester College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. After graduating, international studies degree recipients from Macalester College typically earn about $53,128 annually.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #8 position for international studies graduate earnings this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school located in the city of Springfield. Students who complete the international studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,814.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying international studies schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Early-career international studies graduates from Southeast Missouri State University make a median of around $25,984 per year.
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 · 9 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.