Best colleges for International/Globalization Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for International/Globalization Studies by graduate earnings are University of Notre Dame ($69,362), Boston College ($51,371) and University of California-Berkeley ($46,660), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN): $69,362, 59 graduates a year
- Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA): $51,371, 67 graduates a year
- University of California-Berkeley (Berkeley, CA): $46,660, 83 graduates a year
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh (Raleigh, NC): $45,648, 57 graduates a year
- University of California-San Diego (La Jolla, CA): $45,168, 369 graduates a year
Compare 303 U.S. colleges offering International/Globalization Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
International/Globalization Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,819 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.20 and the Political Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About International/Globalization Studies programs
The International/Globalization Studies program offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding global macro-processes, focusing on issues such as cultural and economic globalization and global power structures. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the interconnectedness of political, economic, and social phenomena on a global scale.
Students in this program develop essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes subjects like law, sociology, geography, and environmental studies, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of global affairs.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,362 | 59 | 95% | $19,452 | — |
| 2 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,371 | 67 | 91% | $21,126 | $19,000 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,660 | 83 | 93% | — | $15,636 |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,648 | 57 | 85% | — | $22,500 |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,168 | 369 | 86% | — | $16,500 |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,446 | 119 | 93% | — | $15,053 |
| 7 | Colby College Waterville, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,756 | 22 | 89% | $15,696 | — |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,701 | 160 | 89% | — | $18,535 |
| 9 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,886 | 122 | 84% | — | $18,000 |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,594 | 75 | 90% | — | $20,469 |
| 11 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,082 | 35 | 93% | — | $12,000 |
| 12 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,953 | 53 | 78% | — | $20,142 |
| 13 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,854 | 57 | 94% | $14,126 | $20,250 |
| 14 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,410 | 42 | 81% | — | $27,000 |
| 15 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,397 | 35 | 55% | — | $24,313 |
| 16 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,161 | 101 | 68% | — | $21,966 |
| 17 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,926 | 21 | 67% | — | $20,500 |
| 18 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,883 | 75 | 65% | — | $25,611 |
| 19 | Brandeis University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,874 | 30 | 86% | $25,074 | $25,694 |
| 20 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,892 | 106 | 74% | — | $17,600 |
| 21 | University of Vermont Burlington, VT Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,757 | 22 | 79% | — | $20,500 |
| 22 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,553 | 115 | 83% | — | $14,792 |
| 23 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,388 | 112 | 87% | — | $15,250 |
| 24 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,206 | 28 | 69% | — | $24,250 |
| 25 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,129 | 64 | 75% | — | $21,681 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $41,636 | 45 | 68% | $28,141 | $23,989 |
Specializations within International/Globalization Studies
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.20 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 51 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3094, Political Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the International/Globalization Studies program may pursue careers in various fields, particularly in political science education and research. The job outlook indicates a decline of 3.1%, with approximately 500 annual openings and a median wage of $139,380, typically requiring a Master's degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for International/Globalization Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.20.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.20 (International/Globalization Studies) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-3094 | Political Scientistsprimary |
| 25-1069 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in International/Globalization Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Teach political science.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Advise political science students.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
Common questions
What is International/Globalization Studies?+
It is an interdisciplinary program focused on global macro-processes, including cultural and economic globalization.
What skills will I gain?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and research, among others.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can pursue careers in political science, education, research, and related fields.
What is the job outlook?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with 500 annual openings and a median wage of $139,380.
How much do International/Globalization Studies graduates earn?+
International/Globalization Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,819, College Scorecard (2019); the Political Scientists occupation pays about $142,510 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for International/Globalization Studies?+
International/Globalization Studies maps to CIP 30.20 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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