International/Globalization Studies: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
International/Globalization Studies graduates earn a median $59,972 four years after finishing — $11,612/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 5.8 years. Federal data pools 318 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 5,443 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
International/Globalization Studies ranks #108 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 47% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston College | MA | $91,874 |
| 2 | American Public University System | WV | $86,599 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles | CA | $82,501 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego | CA | $81,174 |
| 5 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | VA | $76,044 |
| 6 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | NC | $73,362 |
| 7 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | MI | $72,545 |
| 8 | Drexel University | PA | $72,375 |
| 9 | Kenyon College | OH | $72,305 |
| 10 | College of the Holy Cross | MA | $71,280 |
| 11 | The University of the South | TN | $70,907 |
| 12 | University of Central Florida | FL | $69,568 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.