College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best International Studies Schools in California

11 Colleges in California
1,305 International Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,900 Avg Early-Career Salary
International Studies is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #100 most popular degree program in the country. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for international studies students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,305 degrees in international studies annually.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great International Studies School

Best International Studies Schools in California The international studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for International Studies rankings. We derive our Best Overall International Studies School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your International Studies Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in International Studies
Master's Degrees in International Studies
Doctor's Degrees in International Studies

The international studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best International Studies Schools in California. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for International Studies in California

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the international studies degree levels they offer.

10 Top California Schools in International Studies

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
192 International Studies Degrees Awarded
$33,553 Median Starting Salary

University of California - Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in international studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #47 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCSB is a great university overall.

There were about 192 international studies students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the international studies program make about $33,553 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in international studies from University of California - Santa Barbara

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
149 International Studies Degrees Awarded
$33,388 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat University of California - Irvine if you want to pursue a degree in international studies. UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the city of Irvine. This university ranks 12th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 149 international studies students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the international studies program state that they receive average early career wages of $33,388.

More information about a degree in international studies from University of California - Irvine

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Business Administration - International Business Program Name

Earn the degree that can help you drive business beyond borders with a specialized online international business degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Business Administration - International Business from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
122 International Studies Degrees Awarded
$46,660 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in international studies has to take a look at University of California - Berkeley. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 122 international studies students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Those international studies students who get their degree from University of California - Berkeley earn $6,760 more than the standard international studies graduate.

More information about a degree in international studies from University of California - Berkeley

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
537 International Studies Degrees Awarded
$45,168 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in international studies needs to look into University of California - San Diego. UCSD is a very large public university located in the large city of La Jolla. A Best Colleges rank of #49 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCSD is a great university overall.

There were approximately 537 international studies students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the international studies major at University of California - San Diego make $5,268 above the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in international studies from University of California - San Diego

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
41 International Studies Degrees Awarded
$39,082 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 41 international studies students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the international studies program state that they receive average early career wages of $39,082.

More information about a degree in international studies from University of California - Los Angeles

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
38 International Studies Degrees Awarded
39.5% Growth in Graduates

USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were about 38 international studies students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Those international studies students who get their degree from University of Southern California earn $18,971 more than the typical international studies grad.

More information about a degree in international studies from University of Southern California

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
19th Most Popular In CA

SDSU is a fairly large public university located in the large city of San Diego. This university ranks 25th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 3 international studies students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in international studies from San Diego State University

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MBA in International Business Program Name

Earn the MBA that fits your borderless business goals – and your budget.

More information about a degree in MBA in International Business from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$36,920 Median Starting Salary
$53,412 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 11th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 21 international studies students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international studies degree recipients typically make around $36,920 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in international studies from Pepperdine University

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$34,246 Median Starting Salary

CSUMB is a moderately-sized public university located in the midsize suburb of Seaside. This university ranks 72nd out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 10 international studies students who graduated with this degree at CSUMB in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the international studies program state that they receive average early career income of $34,246.

More information about a degree in international studies from California State University - Monterey Bay

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$31,589 Median Starting Salary

CSULB is a very large public university located in the large city of Long Beach. This university ranks 36th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 30 international studies students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the international studies program report average early career income of $31,589.

More information about a degree in international studies from California State University - Long Beach

Best International Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best International Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 300 89
Oregon 266 143
Nevada 192 1
Hawaii 164 17
Alaska 119 8

View All Rankings >

One of 51 majors within the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies area of study, International Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

International Studies Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
International/Globalization Studies 1,305

View All International Studies Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to International Studies

Related Major Annual Graduates
Biological & Physical Science 19,259
Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 3,747
Cognitive Science 1,815
Nutrition Science 1,251
Human Biology 678
Mathematics & Computer Science 563
Behavioral Science 558
Gerontology 236
Interdisciplinary Studies 204
Dispute Resolution 184

View All International Studies Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options