by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 3 U.S. colleges awarded 34 degrees and certificates in International Finance. Graduates earn a median $61,016 one year after completing, rising to $89,140 after four years.
A major in International Finance involves the study of International Finance. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Manage International Financial Operations And Related Currency Transactions. Includes Instruction In International Banking, International Monetary And Financial Policy, Money And Capital Markets, Foreign Exchange, Risk Analysis, And International Cash Flow Operations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, international finance draws strong interest, with 34 degrees awarded annually. 3 colleges award international finance degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 21.
All 34 of the awards are master’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 35% of international finance degrees and certificates in the latest year (12 of 34). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (12) and Hispanic or Latino (2), and international students earned 19.
O*NET rates Reading Comprehension the most important skill for jobs related to international finance, at 4.0 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are Economics and Accounting, English Language and Mathematics. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an international finance degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 34 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international finance, at 38.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.5% |
| Master’s degree | 30.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to International Finance, with an average median salary of $114,425; the strongest outlook belongs to Investment Fund Managers, at 14.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Corporate Securities Research Analyst, Analyst, Securities Research Analyst and Securities Analyst.
The occupation related to international finance with the most projected jobs is Financial Risk Specialists, at 684,551.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Treasurers and Controllers | 229,662 | 0.6% |
| Investment Fund Managers | 185,925 | 14.1% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
| Financial Managers | 145,690 | 9.0% |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | 76,931 | 6.8% |
International Finance graduates earn a median $61,016 one year after completing their program, $89,140 after four years and $89,830 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $61,016 |
| 4 years | $89,140 |
| 5 years | $89,830 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to international finance is Treasurers and Controllers, with a median salary of $162,461.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Treasurers and Controllers | $162,461 |
| Investment Fund Managers | $157,819 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,666 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Financial Managers | $75,665 |
International Finance has 8 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 60,388 degrees a year; the largest are Finance, General (53,828), Financial Planning and Services (4,834) and Banking and Financial Support Services (1,044). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Finance, General | 53,828 |
| Financial Planning and Services | 4,834 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services | 1,044 |
| Investments and Securities | 352 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services, Other | 282 |
| Public Finance | 36 |
| Credit Management | 6 |
| Financial Risk Management | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.