2027 Best International Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
International Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for International Studies in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the international studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in International Studies
No school ranked higher than University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year for international studies. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 119 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. International Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $44,446 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,053 to complete this degree.
Get the full international studies details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Kenyon College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international studies, ranking #2. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Kenyon College graduates 82% of students within six years. Kenyon College awarded about 16 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $37,976 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete this degree.
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Depaul University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best international studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 45 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $55,390 in their early career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international studies from Depaul University
University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international studies, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 59 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. International Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,362 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete this degree.
See the full international studies program report for University Of Notre Dame
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international studies, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 75 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $40,594 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,469.
More information about a degree in international studies from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Loyola University Chicago placed #6 among the best international studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 27 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
More information about a degree in international studies from Loyola University Chicago
Michigan State University came in at #7 for international studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 42 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Michigan State University earn around $38,410 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full international studies program report for Michigan State University
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #8 among the best international studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. There were roughly 10 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn around $49,424 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete this degree.
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University Of Dayton came in at #9 for international studies this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. University Of Dayton awarded about 13 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $32,994. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $24,199 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international studies from University Of Dayton
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #10 among the best international studies schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $30,438. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,628 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best international studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 14 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $31,433 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,738 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international studies program at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Purdue University Global placed #12 among the best international studies schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. About 25 international studies degrees were awarded at Purdue University Global in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Purdue University Global earn around $54,278 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,778.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.