by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in International Finance involves the study of International Finance. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Manage International Financial Operations And Related Currency Transactions. Includes Instruction In International Banking, International Monetary And Financial Policy, Money And Capital Markets, Foreign Exchange, Risk Analysis, And International Cash Flow Operations. Read on to learn the important information every international finance major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international finance programs.
Nationwide, international finance draws strong interest, with 124 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Finance Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international finance students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international finance programs later in this article.
Programs in International Finance develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international finance graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a international finance program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a international finance major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international finance degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 124 |
People currently working in careers related to international finance tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.5% |
| Master’s degree | 30.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international finance careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in international finance can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to international finance.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international finance.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Treasurers and Controllers | 229,662 | 0.6% |
| Investment Fund Managers | 185,925 | 14.1% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
| Financial Managers | 145,690 | 9.0% |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | 76,931 | 6.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of international finance graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,617 |
| 4 years | $75,528 |
| 5 years | $88,287 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international finance graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international finance grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Treasurers and Controllers | $162,461 |
| Investment Fund Managers | $157,819 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,666 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Financial Managers | $75,665 |
With 3 different international finance programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international finance school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in international finance, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Finance, General | 49,828 |
| Financial Planning and Services | 5,773 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services | 992 |
| Investments and Securities | 414 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services, Other | 363 |
| Public Finance | 63 |
| Credit Management | 4 |
| Financial Risk Management | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
