by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 400 U.S. colleges awarded 7,127 degrees and certificates in International Business/Trade/Commerce. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 70% of graduates. College Factual ranks 132 schools in its 2027 Best International Business/Trade/Commerce 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.
Studying International Business/Trade/Commerce explores International Business/trade/commerce. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Manage International Businesses And/or Business Operations. Includes Instruction In The Principles And Processes Of Export Sales, Trade Controls, Foreign Operations And Related Problems, Monetary Issues, International Business Policy, And Applications To Doing Business In Specific Countries And Markets. Examples: [Global Business], [Global Commerce], [Global Management].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, international business/trade/commerce is a popular field of study, with 7,127 degrees awarded annually. 400 colleges award international business/trade/commerce 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/trade/commerce 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/Trade/Commerce Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 104 for bachelor’s degrees and 24 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international business/trade/commerce schools within 40 states. In all, 400 colleges offer international business/trade/commerce programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Business/Trade/Commerce Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international business/trade/commerce credential is the bachelor’s degree: 4,975 of the 7,127 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international business/trade/commerce 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an international business/trade/commerce 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/trade/commerce, 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/Trade/Commerce, 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, Security Analyst and Security Operations Staff Specialist (Security Ops Staff Specialist).
The occupation related to international business/trade/commerce 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/Trade/Commerce 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/trade/commerce 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
