by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 15 U.S. colleges awarded 270 degrees and certificates in International Policy Analysis. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 51% of graduates. College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best International Policy Analysis Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $60,429 one year after completing, rising to $89,027 after four years.
A degree in International Policy Analysis covers International Policy Analysis. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Analysis Of Public Policy Issues Related To Relationships Among Nations And Among Governments And Non-Governmental Entities. Includes Instruction In International Politics, Governance, Financial Policy, And Security Affairs; Globalization; Economic And Social Policies Of Developing Nations; And Applications To Specific Public Policy Topics Such As Labor And Employment, Immigration, And Human Rights.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, international policy analysis is a popular field of study, with 270 degrees awarded annually. 15 colleges award international policy analysis degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 50.
By level, the 270 awards include 138 bachelor’s degrees, 123 master’s degrees and 9 doctorates.
Women earned 65% of international policy analysis degrees and certificates in the latest year (175 of 270). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (114) and Hispanic or Latino (44), and international students earned 29.
College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best International Policy Analysis Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees and 5 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international policy analysis schools within 4 states. In all, 15 colleges offer international policy analysis programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Policy Analysis Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international policy analysis credential is the bachelor’s degree: 138 of the 270 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international policy analysis call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Law and Government and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an international policy analysis degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 138 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 123 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international policy analysis, at 87.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 87.9% |
| Master’s degree | 6.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.3% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to International Policy Analysis, with an average median salary of $59,874; the strongest outlook belongs to Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 11.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include International Relations Teacher, College Faculty Member, Adjunct Political Science Professor and Faculty Member.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to international policy analysis, at 1,638,816.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
International Policy Analysis graduates earn a median $60,429 one year after completing their program, $89,027 after four years and $95,174 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,429 |
| 4 years | $89,027 |
| 5 years | $95,174 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to international policy analysis is Political Scientists, with a median salary of $71,521.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,472 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $41,630 |
International Policy Analysis has 4 similar majors in the Public & Social Service field, which together award 5,956 degrees a year; the largest are Public Policy Analysis, General (5,385), Health Policy Analysis (382) and Education Policy Analysis (107). Browse all Public & Social Service majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Policy Analysis, General | 5,385 |
| Health Policy Analysis | 382 |
| Education Policy Analysis | 107 |
| Public Policy Analysis, Other | 82 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
