International students seeking a master’s or doctorate degree have so many options in the United States. US universities offer prestigious degree programs, instruction from industry-leading experts, and professional connections at global employers – a winning combination for ambitious future leaders. U.S. News & World Report has included several international-friendly Shorelight universities in its Best Graduate Schools for the 2025-2026 academic year. So, whether you’re looking for postgraduate credentials in business, computer science, the humanities, or other disciplines, there’s a top-ranked Shorelight university that can get you closer to your goals.
Check out a few highlights from this year’s rankings, then use our School Match Tool to start planning your next steps!
Note that not all master’s or doctoral degree programs may be available through Shorelight. Speak to your Shorelight advisor for more details.
Best Graduate Programs for Business
According to a Payscale study on behalf of Poets & Quants, a person with an MBA could earn $2.3 million more over their career compared to one who earned a bachelor’s degree.
Looking beyond an MBA, other graduate degree programs with high earning potential and global opportunities include data science, health care management, and international business, among other specialized topics.
If you’re considering a graduate degree in business, Shorelight universities included in U.S. News & World Report’s top-100 programs for 2026 include:
#40 — University of Utah
#53 — Rutgers University New Brunswick and Rutgers University Newark (tie)
#54 — Tulane University
#58 — American University
#71 — University of South Carolina
#72 — University of Kansas
#73 — Auburn University
#79 — University at Buffalo
#85 — Louisiana State University
#88 — Pepperdine University
Browse Shorelight graduate business programs >
Best Graduate Programs for Computer Science
Should you get a master’s degree in computer science? Studying for a master’s or PhD in computer science enables future specialists to focus on a specific niche, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, IT management, and other technical concentrations. If you are interested in academia or research, a master’s degree in computer science may be required for professional roles. According to Payscale, earning a master’s degree in computer science can result in an average base salary of $117,000, with an overall job satisfaction rate of 3.7 (out of five).
Shorelight has several options for international-friendly universities with top-100 master’s programs in computer science for 2026:
#21 — Johns Hopkins University
#44 — Rutgers University New Brunswick
#45 — Stony Brook University
#54 — University of Illinois Chicago (tie)
#54 — University of Utah (tie)
#64 — University at Buffalo (tie)
#64 — University of Central Florida (tie)
#88 — Auburn University (tie)
#88 — University of Kansas (tie)
Check out all Shorelight graduate programs in computer science >
Best Graduate Programs for Economics
With a graduate degree in economics, you can become a professional expert in data analytics, macro and microeconomic theory, international trade, statistics, and other growing fields. Career possibilities include roles in academia or at government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and think tanks.
Salaries for employees with a master of arts in economics average $83,000 per year, according to Payscale, with high employee satisfaction (averaging four out of five).
For the 2025-2026 school year, U.S. News & World Report included the following Shorelight universities in the top 100 for graduate degrees in economics:
#21 — Johns Hopkins University
#50 — Rutgers University New Brunswick
#53 — Stony Brook University
#73 — University of Illinois Chicago
#77 — Tulane University
#81 — American University (tie)
#81 — University at Buffalo (tie)
#81 — University of Kansas (tie)
#91 — University of South Carolina (tie)
#91 — University of Utah (tie)
#97 — Louisiana State University
Browse Shorelight universities offering master’s degrees in economics >
Best Graduate Programs in Education
If you pursue a career in teaching, you may be able to increase your earnings by 10 to 15% (on average) with a master’s degree in education, according to a Pepperdine University analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In addition, the 2024 Salary Benchmark Report from the National Education Association (NEA) put the top of the teacher pay scale at $81,026, noting that salary level typically requires a PhD, 15 to 30 credit hours beyond a master’s degree, or 25 to 30 years of teaching experience. To boost your earnings, especially earlier in your career as a teacher, a graduate degree in education can be a smart decision.
Shorelight universities included in the top 100 for 2025-2026’s education graduate degree rankings from U.S. News & World Report are:
#14 — Johns Hopkins University
#15 — University of Kansas
#27 — University of South Carolina
#40 — University of Central Florida
#45 — UMass Boston
#49 — Rutgers University New Brunswick
#54 — University at Buffalo
#73 — University of Illinois Chicago (tie)
#73 — University of Utah (tie)
#81 — University of Nevada, Reno
#100 — Auburn University (tie)
#100 — Florida International University (tie)
Browse Shorelight education graduate degree programs >
Best Graduate Programs for Engineering
Engineers use creativity, experimentation, and collaboration to develop solutions to a wide variety of challenges. A master’s degree in an engineering specialization from a US university builds versatile skills, establishes strong professional networks, and cultivates leadership among the next generation of innovators.
With their adaptable skillset, strong technical knowledge, and niche specializations, engineers enjoy enviable hiring rates and earning capabilities: U.S. News & World Report’s list of graduate degree jobs that earn more than $100K includes multiple engineering careers including aerospace, architectural, computer hardware, and environmental engineer as particularly lucrative specializations.
In 2025-2026, the following engineering programs at Shorelight universities earned top-100 rankings.
#13 — Johns Hopkins University
#52 — University of Dayton
#57 — University at Buffalo
#58 — University of Utah
#59 — Auburn University
#64 — Stony Brook
#64 — University of Illinois Chicago
#72 — Rutgers University New Brunswick
#74 — University of Central Florida
#81 — Missouri S&T (tie)
#81 — University of South Carolina (tie)
#94 — Florida International University
Browse Shorelight graduate engineering programs >
Best Graduate Programs for Finance
Interested in managing money? With a graduate degree in finance, you’ll be well qualified for roles in financial modeling, fiscal policy, portfolio management, and risk management, among other capital-related careers. According to Payscale, employees with a master’s in finance have an average salary of $81,000, and a 3.6 (out of five) job satisfaction rate.
U.S. News & World Report included the following Shorelight universities in their top-100 graduate degrees in finance list for 2025-2026:
#16 — Seattle University
#17 — Fairfield University
#28 — Gonzaga University
Browse Shorelight graduate finance programs >
Best Graduate Programs for Nursing
Future nurses, earning a graduate degree in nursing can pay dividends: According to Nurse Journal, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for registered nurses is $75,330. But if you are an advanced practice registered nurse with a master’s degree, the median salary jumps to $117,760!
Shorelight has a wide variety of graduate schools with nursing programs receiving a top-100 designation from U.S. News & World Report (2025-2026):
#2 — Johns Hopkins University
#17 — Rutgers University Newark (tie)
#17 — UIC (tie)
#23 — University of South Carolina
#43 — MGH Institute of Health Professions
#47 — Villanova University
#52 — Fairfield University (tie)
#52 — Florida International University (tie)
#57 — UMass Boston
#84 — Adelphi University (tie)
#84 — Auburn University (tie)
#92 — University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Browse Shorelight graduate nursing programs >
There are so many reasons to study abroad for your master’s or doctoral degree – and Shorelight advisors are available to offer expert guidance and support with submitting your application, getting your visa, researching internships and OPT, and more. Fast-track your future today by applying for your top-ranked degree!
Talk to a Shorelight advisor >
See all the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Graduate Rankings >
