by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 21 U.S. colleges awarded 266 degrees and certificates in International Education. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 83% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best International Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $58,060 one year after completing, rising to $72,029 after four years.
Have you always been interested in learning about the educational systems in place around the world? Are you interested in learning why some countries outperform others in the educational field? A major in International Education will give you the ability to learn about different educational systems around the world and make an impact on many children's lives. You will get the chance to examine data on how and why some schools perform better than others in order to implement changes in curriculum and policy. Be prepared to explore various opinions, worldviews and cultures to get a better understanding of how learning works in different countries. You will study different research methods and teaching styles while exploring international policy.
Courses that you may be required to take could include: research methods, country specific studies, area specific studies, cross national studies, teaching courses, educational policy and development, and data and analysis, statistics, sociology.
Studying International Education involves the study of International And Comparative Education.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, international education draws strong interest, with 266 degrees awarded annually. 21 colleges award international education degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 75.
By level, the 266 awards include 33 bachelor’s degrees, 220 master’s degrees and 13 doctorates.
Women earned 76% of international education degrees and certificates in the latest year (201 of 266). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (88) and Hispanic or Latino (29), and international students earned 93.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best International Education Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees and 5 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international education schools within 3 states. In all, 21 colleges offer international education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international education credential is the master’s degree: 220 of the 266 awarded in the latest year.
This focus is great for a person with a worldly outlook on life. If you are excited about different countries and cultures and you want to learn from them this is great major for you. Some programs may require travel abroad to get a firsthand experience of the different practices. You need to have an open mind and be willing to work with both people and data. This major allows many doors to open you have the opportunity to work in leadership roles as well as planning positions. It is important to hone organizational skills as well as leadership and group management skills.
It is imperative to have an inquisitive personality and never settle until you have the answer. You should have the desire to truly understand different countries and cultures. The next step is to take that data and learn from it. You will be the liaison between the research and the school districts. You have the power to make our American educational system stronger and more effective.
How long an international education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 33 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 220 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 13 |
There is a wide range of careers you can enter after earning this degree. This includes teaching, policy and evaluation, administration, and research roles. You have the ability to work for private and public schools, governmental institutions, businesses, and different foundations. Most jobs will require a master's degree in international education and time spent abroad working in education. Salaries will vary depending on what area of the world you find work in.
International Education graduates earn a median $58,060 one year after completing their program, $72,029 after four years and $76,632 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,060 |
| 4 years | $72,029 |
| 5 years | $76,632 |
Source: College Scorecard.
International Education includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is International and Comparative Education (266). It has 14 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 325,568 degrees a year; the largest are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (108,824), Educational Administration and Supervision (44,746) and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (40,395). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International and Comparative Education | 266 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
