2026 Best International Studies Master’s Degree Schools
International Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 433 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international studies schools.
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Featured International Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Schools for International Studies in the United States
Below are the best international studies schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in International Studies
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in international studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,636.
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Students looking for a strong international studies program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 60 international studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full international studies program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for international studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $204,927 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
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Indiana University Bloomington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Typical student debt for the program is $20,542.
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A rank of #5 makes University Of Denver one of the top schools for international studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of Denver earn around $56,999 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,534.
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George Mason University came in at #6 for international studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 international studies degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
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University Of California Irvine landed the #7 spot for international studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 11 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $33,388. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans.
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University Of Southern California landed the #8 spot for international studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $58,871. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
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University Of Notre Dame ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,362. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans.
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Florida International University came in at #10 for international studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 44 international studies degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Florida International University earn around $53,017 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349.
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Northeastern University Global Network earned the #11 position for international studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 127 international studies degrees were awarded at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Northeastern University Global Network earn around $66,320 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,055 to complete this degree.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #12 for international studies this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 international studies degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Typical student debt for the program is $22,337.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #13 among the best international studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 72 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $82,287 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,681.
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University Of San Francisco placed #14 among the best international studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $47,476 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935.
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American Public University System earned the #15 position for international studies this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the town of Charles Town. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 118 international studies degrees were awarded at American Public University System in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from American Public University System earn around $84,526 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,125.
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University Of Utah landed the #16 spot for international studies this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $55,241 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611.
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University Of Maine landed the #17 spot for international studies this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maine in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. University Of Maine graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans.
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Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach landed the #18 spot for international studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of West Palm Beach. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 international studies degrees were awarded at Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach generally make around $54,317. Students borrow a median of $24,787 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international studies from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
University Of Kansas landed the #19 spot for international studies this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of Kansas earn around $56,289 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608.
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Arizona State University Skysong placed #20 among the best international studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. About 19 international studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $37,161. Students borrow a median of $21,966 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arizona placed #21 among the best international studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Arizona awarded about 18 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $46,539. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Other International Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare International Studies rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 433 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.