2026 Best International Education Schools
Looking for the best International Education programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 27 colleges 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 arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 International Education Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Teachers College At Columbia University to be the best International Education school in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Read more about Duke University
A rank of #3 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their International Education program here. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
George Washington University came in at #4 on this year's International Education ranking in the United States. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Read the full report on George Washington University
You'll be in good company at Lehigh University, which ranked #5 this year. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Lehigh University International Education students take on a median of $23,008 in debt. Read the full report on Lehigh University
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. The median International Education program debt is $13,975. Read more about Vanderbilt University
New York University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. The median International Education program debt is $21,897. Get the full New York University report
American University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. American University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete their International Education program here. Read the full report on American University
Boston College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Typical International Education student debt is $18,101. See the full Boston College profile
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #10 position. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. The median International Education program debt is $20,542. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Sit Graduate Institute did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Brattleboro, VT, Sit Graduate Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,734. Read more about Sit Graduate Institute
University Of Kentucky placed #12 among International Education schools in the United States. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. University Of Kentucky International Education students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
Sam Houston State University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Sam Houston State University International Education students take on a median of $24,850 in debt. More on Sam Houston State University
Suny At Albany did well this year, earning the #14 position. Suny At Albany is a public school based in Albany, NY. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical International Education student debt is $23,521. More on Suny At Albany
Niagara University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Niagara University, NY. Niagara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Niagara University International Education students take on a median of $26,208 in debt. Read the full report on Niagara University
Kent State University At Kent did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Kent, OH. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical International Education student debt is $25,174. See the full Kent State University At Kent profile
Florida International University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Miami, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Florida International University International Education students take on a median of $19,349 in debt. Read more about Florida International University
Endicott College
Endicott College landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Endicott College
Jacksonville University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Get the full Jacksonville University report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. Read the full report on Faith Evangelical College And Seminary
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #22 in this year's ranking. More on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Read more about Harvard University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Rest of the Top 15% Best International Education Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Georgia State University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. More on Georgia State University
The College Of New Jersey placed #27 among International Education schools in the United States. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Best International Education Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best International Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best International Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best International Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best International Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 27 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).