6,494
Graduates Per Year
$43K
Average Salary
#73
Most Popular Major
Degree Stats
Popular
6,494
13% NATIONAL AVG
Diplomas Received Last Year
333
5% NATIONAL AVG
Colleges Offering this Degree
Most Popular Degrees
72
Human Services
6,503
73
Global Studies
6,494
74
Physical Education
6,447
Most Widely Offered Degrees
35
/
1.852
Worse
Better
Top 100 Colleges offering this degree
Degree Granting Schools that are Public
Most Graduates
By Region
Far West
University of California-Irvine
By State
California
University of California-Irvine
By Conference
Pacific-12 Conference
Arizona State University-Tempe
By School
University of San Francisco
If you think life as a media coordinator, global communications specialist, or contracts specialist sounds interesting, then a degree in global studies may just be for you. You could even become a facilitator of agreements between opposing countries!
Global studies is the 73rd most popular degree in America, with 6,494 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #74 Physical Education, and narrowly lost to #72 Human Services.
The degree is offered at a total of 333 colleges across the nation, and is the 69th most widely offered degree. Given that global studies is offered at 30% of the Top 100 Best Colleges in America, you can be sure this is a critical degree and the skillsets acquired are likely to last for a long time.
It is also worth noting that 46% of colleges offering global studies are public making it a pretty accessible field.
The far west produces the most global studies graduates, largely led by University of California-Irvine, while it’s the Pacific-12 Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, California ranks highest, with particular help from University of California-Irvine and University of California-San Diego.
All that being said, no individual school produces more global studies graduates than University of San Francisco, which graduated 500 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study global studies). More students studied global studies as a percentage of total students at California State University Maritime Academy than any other college.
We wish you luck on your college search. We hope you enjoy Authority's 2022 official Best Colleges for Global Studies list. Some of our picks may surprise you!
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#1 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of California-San Diego is a very large public university located in La Jolla, CA ranked 66th in the US. It has a total of 31,840 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting a touch greater than 3/10 of applicants. University of California-San Diego offers 228 different majors and is best known for its Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Global Studies, and Cognitive Science programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $11,442 for students from California and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-San Diego is quite high-priced. 78.44% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to make close to $59,900 per year, which is 44% over the national median.
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La Jolla, CA
www.ucsd.edu
A+
Rating
31%
Acceptance
39,811
Students
# 6
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#2 Best Colleges for Global Studies
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Santa Barbara, CA
www.ucsb.edu
A
Rating
30%
Acceptance
27,685
Students
# 12
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#3 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of Pennsylvania is a very large private university located in Philadelphia, PA ranked 8th in the United States. It has a total of 14,000 full-time undergraduate students and is highly competitive, accepting 7.66% of applicants. University of Pennsylvania offers 355 different majors and is best known for its Finance, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, and Philosophy programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $51,156 per year, University of Pennsylvania is extremely pricey. 81.13% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor market. After college, alumni go on to make roughly $85,900 per year, which is 107% greater than the national median.
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Philadelphia, PA
www.upenn.edu
A+
Rating
8%
Acceptance
29,813
Students
# 8
Ranking
$51,156
Tuition
#4 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a very large public university located in Ann Arbor, MI ranked 37th in America. It has a total of 31,206 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting slightly north of two in nine applicants. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers 433 different majors and is best known for its Experimental Psychology, Data Modeling and Database Administration, and German Language and Literature programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $15,230 for in-state students and $50,872 for those from out-of-state, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is very expensive. 86.28% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to bring home near $63,400 per year, which is 53% greater than the national median.
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Ann Arbor, MI
https://umich.edu/
A+
Rating
23%
Acceptance
48,218
Students
# 2
Ranking
$50,872
Tuition
#5 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Colby College is a small private liberal arts college located in Waterville, ME ranked 32nd in the US. It has a total of 2,150 full-time undergraduate students and is highly competitive, with a 9.67% acceptance rate. Colby College offers 45 different majors and is best known for its Latin American Studies, Global Studies, and Physiological Psychology programs (nationally ranked 4th, 5th, and 5th respectively). With an annual tuition of $54,870 per year, Colby College is exceptionally pricey. 89.63% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, entering the workforce. Open graduating, alumni go on to make around $58,100 per year, which is 40% above the national median.
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Waterville, ME
www.colby.edu
A+
Rating
10%
Acceptance
2,150
Students
# 32
Ranking
$54,870
Tuition
#6 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Washington University in St Louis is a large private university located in Saint Louis, MO ranked 15th in the US. It has a total of 8,774 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 13.85% of applicants. Washington University in St Louis offers 291 different majors and is best known for its Anthropology, Design and Visual Communications, and Environmental Biology programs, which are all nationally ranked 2nd. With an annual tuition of $54,250 per year, Washington University in St Louis is exceptionally high-priced. 88.9% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, joining the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to earn approximately $70,100 per year, which is 69% above the national median.
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Saint Louis, MO
www.wustl.edu
A+
Rating
14%
Acceptance
17,794
Students
# 15
Ranking
$54,250
Tuition
#7 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of Notre Dame is a large private university located in Notre Dame, IN ranked 16th in America. It has a total of 8,803 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 15.83% of applicants. University of Notre Dame offers 173 different majors and is best known for its Pre-Medical Studies, Theological and Ministerial Studies, and Italian Language and Literature programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $55,046 per year, University of Notre Dame is extremely pricey. 94.34% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to bring in approximately $78,400 per year, which is 89% greater than the national median.
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Notre Dame, IN
www.nd.edu
A+
Rating
16%
Acceptance
13,221
Students
# 16
Ranking
$55,046
Tuition
#8 Best Colleges for Global Studies
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Vallejo, CA
https://www.csum.edu
B+
Rating
76%
Acceptance
1,122
Students
# 113
Ranking
$17,622
Tuition
#9 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Brandeis University is a mid-sized private university located in Waltham, MA ranked 61st in the US. It has a total of 3,871 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, with a 29.9% acceptance rate. Brandeis University offers 111 different majors and is best known for its Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Experimental Psychology, and Public Policy Analysis programs (nationally ranked 1st, 4th, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $55,340 per year, Brandeis University is extremely costly. 87.1% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn close to $57,900 per year, which is 39% greater than the national median.
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Waltham, MA
www.brandeis.edu/
A+
Rating
30%
Acceptance
6,400
Students
# 57
Ranking
$55,340
Tuition
#10 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Boston College is a large private university located in Chestnut Hill, MA ranked 40th in the United States. It has a total of 10,369 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting 27.22% of applicants. Boston College offers 176 different majors and is best known for its Applied Psychology, Operations Management and Supervision, and Theological and Ministerial Studies programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $56,780 per year, Boston College is very pricey. 89.53% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to generate around $72,500 per year, which is 75% greater than the national median.
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Chestnut Hill, MA
www.bc.edu
A+
Rating
27%
Acceptance
15,981
Students
# 38
Ranking
$56,780
Tuition
#11 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Macalester College is a small private liberal arts college located in Saint Paul, MN ranked 98th in the United States. It has a total of 2,232 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, with a 32.27% acceptance rate. Macalester College offers 41 different majors and is best known for its Multicultural and Diversity Studies, Japanese Language and Literature, and Geography and Cartography programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 5th respectively). With an annual tuition of $56,062 per year, Macalester College is exceptionally costly. 85.91% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, joining the labor force. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn around $47,600 per year, which is 15% above the national median.
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Saint Paul, MN
www.macalester.edu
A
Rating
32%
Acceptance
2,232
Students
# 86
Ranking
$56,062
Tuition
#12 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of California-Irvine is a very large public university located in Irvine, CA ranked 116th in America. It has a total of 31,386 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting 26.54% of applicants. University of California-Irvine offers 291 different majors and is best known for its Managerial Economics, Social Psychology, and Criminology programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $11,442 for in-state students and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-Irvine is rather costly. 46.45% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, entering the workforce. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to make close to $58,400 per year, which is 41% above the national median.
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Irvine, CA
www.uci.edu/
A
Rating
27%
Acceptance
38,105
Students
# 20
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#13 Best Colleges for Global Studies
The University of Texas at Austin is a very large public university located in Austin, TX ranked 81st in the US. It has a total of 43,132 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting approximately 1/3rd of applicants. The University of Texas at Austin offers 339 different majors and is best known for its Communication Sciences and Disorders, Writing, and Accounting programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $10,824 for students from Texas and $38,326 for those from out-of-state, The University of Texas at Austin is rather costly. 77.77% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to bring home around $58,200 per year, which is 40% greater than the national median.
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Austin, TX
www.utexas.edu
A+
Rating
32%
Acceptance
55,128
Students
# 10
Ranking
$38,326
Tuition
#14 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of Southern California is a very large private university located in Los Angeles, CA ranked 24th in America. It has a total of 21,909 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 11.42% of applicants. University of Southern California offers 527 different majors and is best known for its Communication and Media Studies, Film, and Gerontology programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $57,256 per year, University of Southern California is extremely expensive. 87.78% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn near $74,000 per year, which is 78% over the national median.
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Los Angeles, CA
www.usc.edu/
A+
Rating
11%
Acceptance
53,186
Students
# 24
Ranking
$57,256
Tuition
#15 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Bryn Mawr College is a small private liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, PA ranked 93rd in the nation. It has a total of 1,457 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, with a 33.07% acceptance rate. Bryn Mawr College offers 55 different majors and is best known for its Archeology, Urban Studies, and Mathematics programs (nationally ranked 1st, 10th, and 15th respectively). With an annual tuition of $53,180 per year, Bryn Mawr College is extremely pricey. 85.03% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to draw near $54,600 per year, which is 31% greater than the national median.
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Bryn Mawr, PA
www.brynmawr.edu
A+
Rating
33%
Acceptance
1,799
Students
# 82
Ranking
$53,180
Tuition
#16 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of California-Los Angeles is a very large public university located in Los Angeles, CA ranked 33rd in the nation. It has a total of 33,703 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting practically 1 in every 9 applicants. University of California-Los Angeles offers 333 different majors and is best known for its Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science and Government programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $11,442 for students from California and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-Los Angeles is rather expensive. 80.62% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to take in close to $60,700 per year, which is 46% over the national median.
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Los Angeles, CA
www.ucla.edu/
A+
Rating
12%
Acceptance
47,103
Students
# 1
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#17 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of Florida is a very large public university located in Gainesville, FL ranked 78th in America. It has a total of 38,645 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting 36.58% of applicants. University of Florida offers 433 different majors and is best known for its Exercise Physiology, Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, and Family and Community Services programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $4,477 for in-state students and $25,694 for those from out-of-state, University of Florida is somewhat moderately expensive. 85.38% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, working. After finishing college, alumni go on to take in more or less $56,000 per year, which is 35% above the national median.
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Gainesville, FL
www.ufl.edu/
A+
Rating
37%
Acceptance
58,749
Students
# 8
Ranking
$25,694
Tuition
#18 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Pepperdine University is a mid-sized private university located in Malibu, CA ranked 99th in the nation. It has a total of 3,931 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, with a 31.72% acceptance rate. Pepperdine University offers 107 different majors and is best known for its Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Organizational Communication, and Hispanic-American Studies programs (nationally ranked 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $55,640 per year, Pepperdine University is very high-priced. 78.89% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to make more or less $65,500 per year, which is 58% greater than the national median.
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Malibu, CA
www.pepperdine.edu/
A
Rating
32%
Acceptance
9,814
Students
# 87
Ranking
$55,640
Tuition
#19 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Texas A & M University-College Station is a very large public university located in College Station, TX ranked 124th in the United States. It has a total of 56,527 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting something like 4 out of every 7 applicants. Texas A & M University-College Station offers 409 different majors and is best known for its Construction Engineering Technology, Fitness Administration, and Petroleum Engineering programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $8,532 for students from Texas and $34,981 for those from out-of-state, Texas A & M University-College Station is somewhat moderately high-priced. 76.91% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor force. After finishing college, alumni go on to earn approximately $58,000 per year, which is 40% greater than the national median.
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College Station, TX
https://www.tamu.edu
A
Rating
58%
Acceptance
73,267
Students
# 23
Ranking
$34,981
Tuition
#20 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Centre College is a small private liberal arts college located in Danville, KY ranked 244th in the US. It has a total of 1,444 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 76.44% of applicants. Centre College offers 28 different majors and is best known for its Physiological Psychology and Global Studies programs, which are respectively ranked 6th and 20th in the US. With an annual tuition of $43,000 per year, Centre College is quite costly. 76.98% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to make roughly $45,500 per year, which is 10% above the national median.
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Danville, KY
https://www.centre.edu
A-
Rating
76%
Acceptance
1,444
Students
# 177
Ranking
$43,000
Tuition
#21 Best Colleges for Global Studies
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Worcester, MA
www.holycross.edu
A+
Rating
34%
Acceptance
3,005
Students
# 68
Ranking
$54,050
Tuition
#22 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Case Western Reserve University is a large private university located in Cleveland, OH ranked 46th in the United States. It has a total of 5,420 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting 27.36% of applicants. Case Western Reserve University offers 247 different majors and is best known for its Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Biochemistry, and Applied Physics programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 7th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $50,450 per year, Case Western Reserve University is very high-priced. 80.67% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn about $74,600 per year, which is 80% greater than the national median.
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Cleveland, OH
www.case.edu
A+
Rating
27%
Acceptance
12,755
Students
# 43
Ranking
$50,450
Tuition
#23 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Pitzer College is a small private liberal arts college located in Claremont, CA ranked 83rd in the US. It has a total of 1,089 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 13.7% of applicants. Pitzer College offers 71 different majors and is best known for its Organizational Behavior Studies, Human Resources, and Environmental Science programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 6th, and 7th respectively). With an annual tuition of $55,734 per year, Pitzer College is exceptionally high-priced. 82.3% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to generate approximately $48,700 per year, which is 17% above the national median.
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Claremont, CA
https://www.pitzer.edu
A+
Rating
14%
Acceptance
1,089
Students
# 73
Ranking
$55,734
Tuition
#24 Best Colleges for Global Studies
Kenyon College is a small private liberal arts college located in Gambier, OH ranked 102nd in the nation. It has a total of 1,831 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting 34.09% of applicants. Kenyon College offers 31 different majors and is best known for its Foreign Languages and Literatures, Molecular Biology, and Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs (nationally ranked 8th, 12th, and 19th respectively). With an annual tuition of $56,430 per year, Kenyon College is extremely pricey. 89.57% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn about $48,700 per year, which is 17% above the national median.
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Gambier, OH
https://www.kenyon.edu/
A
Rating
34%
Acceptance
1,831
Students
# 89
Ranking
$56,430
Tuition
#25 Best Colleges for Global Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison is a very large public university located in Madison, WI ranked 106th in the United States. It has a total of 34,640 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting a smidgeon south of 5/9ths of applicants. University of Wisconsin-Madison offers 492 different majors and is best known for its Spanish Language and Literature, Genetics, and French Language and Literature programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $9,273 for in-state students and $36,333 for those from out-of-state, University of Wisconsin-Madison is rather high-priced. 81.28% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, entering the workforce. After college, alumni go on to bring home near $56,200 per year, which is 35% greater than the national median.
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Madison, WI
www.wisc.edu
A
Rating
54%
Acceptance
47,392
Students
# 14
Ranking
$36,333
Tuition