2026 Best International Studies Schools in North Carolina
International Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international studies programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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 North Carolina
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
Our analysis ranked Elon University the best school in the country for a degree in international studies. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Elon University awarded about 13 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,619.
See the full international studies program report for Elon University
Students looking for a strong international studies program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 45 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $45,648 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
More information about a degree in international studies from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. About 39 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $21,830 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international studies from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $32,206 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
More information about a degree in international studies from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
More International Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 13 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.
