2027 Best International Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
International Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for International Studies in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall international studies education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in International Studies
Washington University In St Louis tops our 2027 ranking of the best international studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 57 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $38,854 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans.
See the full international studies program report for Washington University In St Louis
Students looking for a strong international studies program will find one at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #2. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 21 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $36,926 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full international studies program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Macalester College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 international studies degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. International Studies graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $21,176 early in their careers. Macalester College graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international studies from Macalester College
University Of Kansas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 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. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete this degree.
Get the full international studies details for University Of Kansas
A rank of #5 makes University Of Iowa one of the top schools for international studies. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Iowa awarded about 17 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $28,140 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,242 to complete this degree.
Get the full international studies details for University Of Iowa
Southeast Community College Area earned the #6 position for international studies this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. There were roughly 11 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Community College Area in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Southeast Community College Area graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international studies from Southeast Community College Area
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best international studies schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 12 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $33,798 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,527.
See the full international studies program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 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.
