International Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 433 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best international studies schools.
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The school you choose for international studies can shape your career. That is why we built our Best International Studies Schools rankings. For our Best Overall International Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best International Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Earn the degree that can help you drive business beyond borders with a specialized online international business degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Best Schools for International Studies in the United States
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.
No school ranked higher than Colby College this year for international studies. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Waterville. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 18 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Colby College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Colby College earn around $42,756 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,016.
More information about a degree in international studies from Colby College
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international studies, ranking #2. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 68 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $46,660 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,636.
Get the full international studies details for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong international studies program will find one at Boston College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston College awarded about 62 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $51,371 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
See the full international studies program report for Boston College
University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in international studies, ranking #4. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 48 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $39,082 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
See the full international studies program report for University Of California Los Angeles
A rank of #5 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for international studies. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 12 international studies degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the international studies program at San Jose State University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for international studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 86 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $44,446 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,053.
More information about a degree in international studies from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California San Diego earned the #7 position for international studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 384 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $45,168 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
Read more about the international studies program at University Of California San Diego
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best international studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 66 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
See the full international studies program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Georgetown University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgetown University awarded about 35 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
Get the full international studies details for Georgetown University
University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best international studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 128 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. International Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $204,927 early in their careers. 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
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #11 among the best international studies schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 202 international studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $42,701 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,535 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international studies program at The University Of Texas At Austin
Washington State University landed the #12 spot for international studies this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Pullman. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington State University awarded about 15 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $54,697 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete this degree.
Get the full international studies details for Washington State University
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #13 among the best international studies schools. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 14 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $54,116. Typical student debt for the program is $22,542.
See the full international studies program report for Point Loma Nazarene University
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #14 spot for international studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international studies program at Indiana University Bloomington
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 133 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $33,553 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete this degree.
See the full international studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Denver landed the #16 spot for international studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international studies from University Of Denver
Elon University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $50,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international studies from Elon University
University Of Georgia came in at #18 for international studies this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international studies from University Of Georgia
George Mason University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. 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. There were roughly 30 international studies students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
More information about a degree in international studies from George Mason University
California Maritime Academy came in at #20 for international studies this year. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Maritime Academy awarded about 20 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of California Maritime Academy earn a median of $84,745 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,249.
More information about a degree in international studies from California Maritime Academy
Seattle University landed the #21 spot for international studies this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. Seattle University awarded about 15 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Seattle University earn around $63,214 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Read more about the international studies program at Seattle University
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #22 position for international studies this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 109 international studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. International Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $41,886 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international studies from Texas A And M University College Station
Rowan University placed #23 among the best international studies schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. Rowan University awarded about 17 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans.
Read more about the international studies program at Rowan University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. International Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete this degree.
See the full international studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Clark University landed the #25 spot for international studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Worcester. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 international studies degrees were awarded at Clark University in the most recent year. International Studies graduates of Clark University earn a median of $43,257 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international studies program at Clark University
Rest of the Top 50 International Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for international studies this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 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).
