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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best International Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

87 Colleges in the United States
3,402 International Studies Degrees Awarded
$42,484 Avg Early-Career Salary

International Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 433 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for International Studies in the United States

These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in international studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in International Studies

1
Colby College crest
Colby College
Waterville, ME

Our analysis ranked Colby College the best school in the country for a degree in international studies. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Colby College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $42,756 in their early career. Colby College graduates carry a median of $22,016 in student loans. Read more about the international studies program at Colby College

2

Students looking for a strong international studies program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 53 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete this degree. Get the full international studies details for University Of California Berkeley

3
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. 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. About 62 international studies degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. International Studies graduates of Boston College earn a median of $51,371 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international studies from Boston College

4

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Graduates of the international studies program make about $39,082 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full international studies details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in international studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 12 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in international studies from San Jose State University

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #6 position for international studies this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 86 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $44,446 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,053 to complete this degree. Get the full international studies details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

7

University Of California San Diego came in at #7 for international studies this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 384 international studies degrees in the most recent data 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. See the full international studies program report for University Of California San Diego

8
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University landed the #8 spot for international studies this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 35 international studies degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. Read more about the international studies program at Georgetown University

9

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #9 for international studies this year. 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. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 202 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,701. Students borrow a median of $18,535 to complete this degree. Get the full international studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin

10
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best international studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 46 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $204,927. 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

11

Point Loma Nazarene University placed #11 among the best international studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Graduates of the international studies program make about $54,116 in their early career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Get the full international studies details for Point Loma Nazarene University

12

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #12 position for international studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 126 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their international studies degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $33,553 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Read more about the international studies program at University Of California Santa Barbara

13

Elon University landed the #13 spot for international studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. 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. Elon University graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. See the full international studies program report for Elon University

14

California Maritime Academy earned the #14 position for international studies this year. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. California Maritime Academy graduates 60% of students within six years. About 20 international studies degrees were awarded at California Maritime Academy in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $84,745. California Maritime Academy graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. See the full international studies program report for California Maritime Academy

15
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University landed the #15 spot for international studies this year. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 15 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University 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. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in international studies from Seattle University

16

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #16 spot for international studies this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 109 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $41,886 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about the international studies program at Texas A And M University College Station

17
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 13 international studies degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $52,031 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete this degree. Get the full international studies details for Rowan University

18

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #18 among the best international studies schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $40,594. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete this degree. Read more about the international studies program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

19
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University came in at #19 for international studies this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Clark University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Clark University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Clark University earn around $43,257 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international studies from Clark University

20

University Of California Irvine landed the #20 spot for international studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 91 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $33,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in international studies from University Of California Irvine

21

College Of The Holy Cross placed #21 among the best international studies schools. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. College Of The Holy Cross awarded about 13 international studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from College Of The Holy Cross earn around $46,530 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Get the full international studies details for College Of The Holy Cross

22
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont placed #22 among the best international studies schools. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 29 international studies degrees were awarded at University Of Vermont in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $33,757. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in international studies from University Of Vermont

23

Loyola University Chicago ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. International Studies graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. See the full international studies program report for Loyola University Chicago

24

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #24 spot for international studies this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 99 international studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international studies program make about $33,892 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. Get the full international studies details for University Of Colorado Boulder

25
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best international studies schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 13 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international studies degree from Stony Brook University earn around $60,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete this degree. See the full international studies program report for Stony Brook University

Rest of the Top 50 International Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong international studies education:

26
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL
27
28
29
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
30
31
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
32
33
34
35
36
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
49
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more international studies schools worth a look:

Other International Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best international studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in International Studies
Associate's Degrees in International Studies
Master's Degrees in International Studies
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View All 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 · 433 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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