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2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major

390 Ranked Colleges
7,368 Degrees Awarded
$34,500 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended International Studies Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended International Studies Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 7,368 people earned their degree in international studies, making the major the 100th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, international studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,198 and had an average of $21,594 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended International Studies Major” ranking, we looked at 390 colleges that offer a degree in international studies. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in international studies.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The international studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Well Attended International Studies Major”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Most Well Attended International Studies Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for international studies students.

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended International Studies Major. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 585 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCSD International Studies Report

2

Out of the 390 schools in the Most Well Attended International Studies Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #2 spot on the list. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 293 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on International Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 209 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor International Studies Report

4
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Public University System. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 234 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full American Military University International Studies Report

5

Out of the 390 schools in the Most Well Attended International Studies Major that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 198 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about International Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 201 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus International Studies Report

7

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking. CU - Boulder is a large school located in Boulder, Colorado that handed out 180 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Colorado Boulder International Studies Report

8

University of California - Irvine ranked #8 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 172 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Studies at University of California - Irvine

9

Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking, coming in at #9. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 160 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station International Studies Report

10
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school handed out 147 diplomas to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about International Studies at University of Utah

11

University of California - Berkeley ranked #11 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 135 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Berkeley International Studies Report

12
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #12, University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 117 degrees to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Pennsylvania International Studies Report

13

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking, coming in at #13. ASU - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 165 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on International Studies at ASU - Tempe

14

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Studies at UW - Madison

15
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking, coming in at #15. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 90 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UF International Studies Report

16
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 86 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on International Studies at Boston College

17
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon ranked #17 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on International Studies at University of Oregon

18

University of North Texas ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. University of North Texas is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 70 ’s international studies degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on International Studies at UNT

19

Brigham Young University - Idaho ranked #19 on this year’s Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. BYU - I is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rexburg, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Studies at BYU - I

19

Florida International University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s international studies students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Studies at FIU

21
Brandeis crest
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking. Waltham, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s international studies degrees to 67 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about International Studies at Brandeis University

21
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking. This large school is located in San Marcos, Texas, and it awarded 67 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on International Studies at Texas State

21

University of Central Florida came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking. University of Central Florida is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 67 ’s international studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about International Studies at University of Central Florida

24

With a ranking of #24, Washington University in St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major list. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on International Studies at Washington University in St Louis

25
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended International Studies Major ranking, coming in at #25. University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Notre Dame International Studies Report

Rest of the Best 51 in Most Well Attended International Studies Major

Not only did these schools make the top 51 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
USAFA crest
United States Air Force Academy
USAF Academy, Colorado
27
29
29
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
31
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
31
31
34
35
36
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
36
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
38
Pepperdine crest
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
38
C of C crest
College of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
40
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
41
42
Elon crest
Elon University
Elon, North Carolina
43
44
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
45
46
47
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
48
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
49
49
49

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended International Studies Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
52University of New Mexico - Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM
53Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO
54California State University Maritime AcademyVallejo, CA
55College of the Holy CrossWorcester, MA
55Colby CollegeWaterville, ME
57Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS
57Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA
57Providence CollegeProvidence, RI
57University of Maryland - Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD
57Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, MN

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