by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 17 U.S. colleges awarded 158 degrees and certificates in International & Intercultural Communication. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 56% of graduates. College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best International & Intercultural Communication Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $43,684 one year after completing, rising to $67,080 after four years.
A degree in International & Intercultural Communication involves the study of International And Intercultural Communication. A Program That Focuses On The Specialized Knowledge And Skills Needed For Effective Communication In The International Community And Among People Of Different Cultures; And That Prepares Individuals To Function At The National And International Levels As Journalists, Public Relations Specialists, Travel Industry Representatives, Intercultural Trainers, And/or Foreign Service Officers. Includes Instruction In Journalism, Communications, Intercultural And International Relations, Marketing And Public Relations, And Global Communications Policy.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, international & intercultural communication is a widely-pursued major, with 158 degrees awarded annually. 17 colleges award international & intercultural communication degrees, an average of 9 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 29.
By level, the 158 awards include 18 certificates, 51 bachelor’s degrees and 89 master’s degrees.
Women earned 69% of international & intercultural communication degrees and certificates in the latest year (109 of 158). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (60) and Hispanic or Latino (33), and international students earned 35.
College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best International & Intercultural Communication Schools ranking, including 5 for bachelor’s degrees and 4 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international & intercultural communication schools within 5 states. In all, 17 colleges offer international & intercultural communication programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International & Intercultural Communication Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international & intercultural communication credential is the master’s degree: 89 of the 158 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international & intercultural communication call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an international & intercultural communication degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 18 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 51 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 89 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international & intercultural communication, at 55.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 55.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to International & Intercultural Communication, with an average median salary of $103,439; the strongest outlook belongs to Public Relations Managers, at 7.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Public Speaking Professor, Adjunct Instructor, University Faculty Member and Interpersonal Communications Professor.
The occupation related to international & intercultural communication with the most projected jobs is Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, at 919,494.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | 92,155 | -0.2% |
International & Intercultural Communication graduates earn a median $43,684 one year after completing their program, $67,080 after four years and $64,953 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,684 |
| 4 years | $67,080 |
| 5 years | $64,953 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to international & intercultural communication, with a median salary of $139,736.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
International & Intercultural Communication has 10 similar majors in the Communication & Journalism field, which together award 20,389 degrees a year; the largest are Advertising (4,633), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (4,246) and Public Relations/Image Management (4,191). Browse all Communication & Journalism majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Advertising | 4,633 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 4,246 |
| Public Relations/Image Management | 4,191 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communications | 2,072 |
| Organizational Communication, General | 1,837 |
| Sports Communication | 1,509 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other | 1,165 |
| Health Communication | 365 |
| Political Communication | 196 |
| Technical and Scientific Communication | 175 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
