Best Colleges for International/Global Studies

International and Global Studies programs prepare students for careers in diplomacy, international business, non-profit work, and global policy analysis. Graduates typically earn around $32,500 annually in entry-level positions, with significant growth potential as they advance in their careers.

When evaluating programs, students should prioritize schools with strong study abroad opportunities, diverse faculty with real-world international experience, and comprehensive language instruction. Look for curricula that blend political science, economics, cultural studies, and regional expertise. The best programs also offer internship partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, or multinational corporations. With 80 schools nationwide offering this interdisciplinary major, students have numerous options to find programs that align with their specific global interests and career aspirations.

Schools Ranked

$42,317

Avg. Program Earnings

81.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$84,653	96.8%	private-nonprofit
2	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana	$57,318	96.8%	private-nonprofit
3	American Public University System Charles Town, West Virginia	$56,484	53.2%	private-forprofit
4	Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts	$45,249	86.1%	private-nonprofit
5	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$43,798	92.7%	public
6	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$42,682	83.3%	private-nonprofit
7	Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	$42,682	91.0%	private-nonprofit
8	Colby College Waterville, Maine	$42,682	90.2%	private-nonprofit
9	University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio	$41,565	81.5%	private-nonprofit
10	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$41,087	87.6%	public
11	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$40,473	87.6%	public
12	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$39,467	67.8%	public
13	Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, Arizona	$39,467		public
14	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$39,369	77.1%	private-nonprofit
15	University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah	$38,289	63.9%	public
16	University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland	$38,289	70.6%	public
17	Spelman College Atlanta, Georgia	$37,748	76.1%	private-nonprofit
18	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$37,208	83.8%	public
19	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$36,848	67.1%	private-nonprofit
20	Providence College Providence, Rhode Island	$36,674	87.9%	private-nonprofit
21	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$36,049	86.0%	public
22	Pepperdine University Malibu, California	$35,060	84.7%	private-nonprofit
23	St Lawrence University Canton, New York	$35,060	79.7%	private-nonprofit
24	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$35,060	73.3%	private-nonprofit
25	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$34,660	85.3%	public