by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 400 U.S. colleges awarded 7,127 degrees and certificates in International Business. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 70% of graduates. College Factual ranks 132 schools in its 2027 Best International Business Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $59,694 one year after completing, rising to $82,417 after four years.
Have you ever wanted to travel or conduct business with other cultures? A major in International Business would provide a great education for you to meet your goals.
By majoring in International Business, you will learn the how to think internationally about the business world. You will be instructed in international markets and operations, in order to help you understand different customs. Students will be take a variety of courses including foreign languages, global logistics, international finance, marketing, and operations, and communications. These classes will help prepare you for entering into the international business world following your education.
A degree in International Business involves the study of International Business.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, international business is a popular field of study, with 7,127 degrees awarded annually. 400 colleges award international business degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 459.
By level, the 7,127 awards include 21 certificates, 92 associate degrees, 4,975 bachelor’s degrees, 2,018 master’s degrees and 19 doctorates.
Women earned 55% of international business degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,892 of 7,127). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,669) and Hispanic or Latino (1,626), and international students earned 1,266.
College Factual ranks 132 schools in its 2027 Best International Business Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 104 for bachelor’s degrees and 24 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international business schools within 40 states. In all, 400 colleges offer international business programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Business Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international business credential is the bachelor’s degree: 4,975 of the 7,127 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international business call most for Critical Thinking, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Administration and Management and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
In order to be successful in International Business you must be open to learning new cultures and customs. This career involves a lot of travel and interacts with people of different cultures, therefore respecting their traditions and customs is critical in order to do successful business. Being an efficient communicator is a critical skill needed for this major. Many students learn a second or third language to aid their business relations.
There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to experience the culture first hand. Some students decide to pursue their Master's or Ph.D. in International Business as well.
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How long an international business degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 21 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 92 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,975 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,018 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 19 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international business, at 42.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.9% |
| Master’s degree | 24.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.0% |
| Some college courses | 6.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to International Business, with an average median salary of $105,437; the strongest outlook belongs to Sustainability Specialists, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Personnel Security Specialist, Energy and Sustainability Manager, Information Security Consultant and Security Operations Analyst (Security Ops Analyst).
With a degree in International Business, graduates can do many different things. One option is to become a representative of the International Trade Administration. These professionals provide advice and help to exporters in the United States. Titles in this profession include International Economist, Import Compliance Specialist, and International Trade Specialist. The demand for these professionals is not high, however with a master's degree or Ph.D. job opportunities grow.
Graduates can also go into international banking with this degree. You would be working in either a domestic bank with foreign accounts, or vice-versa. This job is in demand due to the emerging international markets.
Becoming a Cultural Adviser is another option. These professionals help businesses with market research to assist their expansion into international markets.
The occupation related to international business with the most projected jobs is Security Management Specialists, at 765,822.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Security Management Specialists | 765,822 | -1.0% |
| Business Continuity Planners | 678,409 | 12.4% |
| Online Merchants | 677,689 | 10.1% |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 615,875 | -1.7% |
| Sustainability Specialists | 564,227 | 14.3% |
| Chief Sustainability Officers | 440,982 | 0.5% |
| Chief Executives | 374,558 | -2.8% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
International Business graduates earn a median $59,694 one year after completing their program, $82,417 after four years and $80,495 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $59,694 |
| 4 years | $82,417 |
| 5 years | $80,495 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to international business is General and Operations Managers, with a median salary of $149,694.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $149,694 |
| Chief Executives | $138,534 |
| Security Management Specialists | $128,654 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $113,637 |
| Online Merchants | $106,971 |
| Chief Sustainability Officers | $96,628 |
| Sustainability Specialists | $81,004 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
International Business includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is International Business/Trade/Commerce (7,127). It has 21 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 877,022 degrees a year; the largest are Business Administration, Management and Operations (421,752), Accounting and Related Services (86,793) and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (68,298). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Business/Trade/Commerce | 7,127 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 421,752 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 86,793 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 68,298 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 61,663 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 60,422 |
| Marketing | 56,635 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 27,822 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 15,088 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 14,895 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,200 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
