2026 Best International Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best International Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 433 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 International Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
The strong International Studies programs at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place in the United States. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical International Studies student debt is $15,117. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
The strong International Studies programs at University Of Southern California earned it the #3 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read more about University Of Southern California
You'll be in good company at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
University Of Notre Dame came in at #5 on this year's International Studies ranking in the United States. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical International Studies student debt is $19,891. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
George Mason University placed #6 among International Studies schools in the United States. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. The median International Studies program debt is $23,529. Read more about George Mason University
University Of Kansas placed #7 among International Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. The median International Studies program debt is $23,608. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of California Santa Barbara did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical International Studies student debt is $14,792. Read more about University Of California Santa Barbara
Brandeis University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brandeis University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,694 to complete their International Studies program here. Get the full Brandeis University report
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. University Of Utah International Studies students take on a median of $25,611 in debt. See the full University Of Utah profile
Arizona State University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $20,962 in student loans. Get the full Arizona State University report
University Of Arizona placed #12 among International Studies schools in the United States. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median International Studies program debt is $25,000. Read more about University Of Arizona
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #13 among International Studies schools in the United States. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,681 to complete their International Studies program here. More on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
American Public University System did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. American Public University System International Studies students take on a median of $13,125 in debt. Get the full American Public University System report
University Of North Texas placed #15 among International Studies schools in the United States. Located in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical International Studies student debt is $21,033. Read the full report on University Of North Texas
University Of San Francisco did well this year, earning the #16 position. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. University Of San Francisco International Studies students take on a median of $23,935 in debt. Get the full University Of San Francisco report
University Of Wyoming came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical International Studies student debt is $17,375. More on University Of Wyoming
Northeastern University Global Network placed #18 among International Studies schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Northeastern University Global Network is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,688. Graduates carry a median of $27,055 in student loans. See the full Northeastern University Global Network profile
University Of Denver came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Denver
Texas State University San Marcos placed #20 among International Studies schools in the United States. Located in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Texas State University San Marcos International Studies students take on a median of $24,313 in debt. Read the full report on Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Oregon ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best International Studies schools. Located in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. University Of Oregon posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their International Studies program here. Get the full University Of Oregon report
Florida International University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best International Studies schools. Based in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Get the full Florida International University report
Dallas Baptist University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best International Studies schools. Set in Dallas, TX, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Dallas Baptist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. See the full Dallas Baptist University profile
Northwest University placed #24 among International Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kirkland, WA. Northwest University graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,035. Graduates carry a median of $22,439 in student loans. Get the full Northwest University report
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best International Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Concordia University Irvine landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Based in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete their International Studies program here. Read the full report on Concordia University Irvine
University Of Maine placed #27 among International Studies schools in the United States. Set in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical International Studies student debt is $25,984. Read the full report on University Of Maine
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kirkland, WA. Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies graduates 41% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,652 in tuition and fees. Typical International Studies student debt is $22,366. See the full Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies profile
Hartwick College
Hartwick College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best International Studies schools. Read the full report on Hartwick College
Liberty University placed #31 among International Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Liberty University
Riverland Community College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best International Studies schools. Get the full Riverland Community College report
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #33 among International Studies schools in the United States. See the full University Of Akron Main Campus profile
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best International Studies schools. More on Kalamazoo Valley Community College
The University Of Montana placed #35 among International Studies schools in the United States. More on The University Of Montana
Roger Williams University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best International Studies schools. Read more about Roger Williams University
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #37 among International Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Manhattanville College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. See the full Manhattanville College profile
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. More on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Lindenwood University placed #41 among International Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Lindenwood University
Regent University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Regent University
Delta College
Delta College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Delta College
Boise State University placed #44 among International Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Boise State University
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #45 among International Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Saint Marys University Of Minnesota report
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
Covenant College
Covenant College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Covenant College
University Of Wisconsin Parkside did well this year, earning the #48 position. More on University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best International Studies schools. Get the full Minnesota State Community And Technical College report
Central College
Central College did well this year, earning the #50 position. More on Central College
Related International Studies Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best International Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best International Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best International Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best International Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 433 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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