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2026 Best International Studies Master’s Degree Schools

14 Colleges in the United States
744 International Studies Degrees Awarded
$63,380 Avg Early-Career Salary

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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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

1

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. More information about a degree in international studies from University Of California Berkeley

2

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

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

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. More information about a degree in international studies from University Of Pennsylvania

4

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. More information about a degree in international studies from Indiana University Bloomington

5

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. See the full international studies program report for University Of Denver

6

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. Read more about the international studies program at George Mason University

7

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. Read more about the international studies program at University Of California Irvine

8

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. Get the full international studies details for University Of Southern California

9

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. Read more about the international studies program at University Of Notre Dame

10

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. Get the full international studies details for Florida International University

11

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. More information about a degree in international studies from Northeastern University Global Network

12

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. Read more about the international studies program at Oklahoma State University Main Campus

13

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. More information about a degree in international studies from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

14
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

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. Get the full international studies details for University Of San Francisco

15

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. More information about a degree in international studies from American Public University System

16
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

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. See the full international studies program report for University Of Utah

17

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. Read more about the international studies program at University Of Maine

18

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

19
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

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. Read more about the international studies program at University Of Kansas

20

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. Get the full international studies details for Arizona State University Skysong

21

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. Get the full international studies details for University Of Arizona

Other International Studies Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare International Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in International Studies
Associate's Degrees in International Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in International Studies
View All International Studies Rankings >

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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