by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 18 U.S. colleges awarded 206 degrees and certificates in International Economics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 83% of graduates. College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best International Economics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $56,341 one year after completing, rising to $87,817 after four years.
A degree in International Economics covers International Economics. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study And Analysis Of International Commercial Behavior And Trade Policy. Includes Instruction In International Trade Theory, Tariffs And Quotas, Commercial Policy, Trade Factor Flows, International Finance And Investment, Currency Regulation And Trade Exchange Rates And Markets, International Trade Negotiation, And International Payments And Accounting Policy.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, international economics is a popular field of study, with 206 degrees awarded annually. 18 colleges award international economics degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 121.
By level, the 206 awards include 171 bachelor’s degrees and 35 master’s degrees.
Women earned 62% of international economics degrees and certificates in the latest year (128 of 206). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (37) and Hispanic or Latino (13), and international students earned 21.
College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best International Economics Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international economics schools within 3 states. In all, 18 colleges offer international economics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Economics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international economics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 171 of the 206 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international economics call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an international economics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 171 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 35 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international economics, at 35.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 35.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.5% |
| Master’s degree | 9.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 4.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to International Economics, with an average median salary of $107,842; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Agricultural Economics Professor, Econometrics Professor, Agricultural Economics Teacher and Economic Adjunct Instructor.
The occupation related to international economics with the most projected jobs is Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, at 830,747.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | 105,398 | -1.9% |
International Economics graduates earn a median $56,341 one year after completing their program, $87,817 after four years and $88,018 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,341 |
| 4 years | $87,817 |
| 5 years | $88,018 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to international economics is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Environmental Economists | $86,726 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
International Economics has 5 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 47,990 degrees a year; the largest are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (25,410), Economics, General (21,619) and Development Economics and International Development (410). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 25,410 |
| Economics, General | 21,619 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 410 |
| Applied Economics | 400 |
| Economics, Other | 151 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
