by our College Data Analytics TeamHave you ever wanted to travel or conduct business with other cultures? A major in International Business would provide a great education for you to meet your goals.
By majoring in International Business, you will learn the how to think internationally about the business world. You will be instructed in international markets and operations, in order to help you understand different customs. Students will be take a variety of courses including foreign languages, global logistics, international finance, marketing, and operations, and communications. These classes will help prepare you for entering into the international business world following your education.
A degree in International Business involves the study of International Business. Read on to learn the essential details every international business major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international business programs.
Across the country, international business is a popular field of study, with 6,933 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Business Schools ranking analyzes these 392 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international business students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international business programs later in this article.
Programs in International Business develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international business graduates commonly enter.
In order to be successful in International Business you must be open to learning new cultures and customs. This career involves a lot of travel and interacts with people of different cultures, therefore respecting their traditions and customs is critical in order to do successful business. Being an efficient communicator is a critical skill needed for this major. Many students learn a second or third language to aid their business relations.
There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to experience the culture first hand. Some students decide to pursue their Master's or Ph.D. in International Business as well.
Skills developed in a international business program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a international business major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international business 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 20 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 105 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,828 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,953 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 26 |
People currently working in careers related to international business tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.9% |
| Master’s degree | 24.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.0% |
| Some college courses | 6.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international business careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
With a degree in International Business, graduates can do many different things. One option is to become a representative of the International Trade Administration. These professionals provide advice and help to exporters in the United States. Titles in this profession include International Economist, Import Compliance Specialist, and International Trade Specialist. The demand for these professionals is not high, however with a master's degree or Ph.D. job opportunities grow.
Graduates can also go into international banking with this degree. You would be working in either a domestic bank with foreign accounts, or vice-versa. This job is in demand due to the emerging international markets.
Becoming a Cultural Adviser is another option. These professionals help businesses with market research to assist their expansion into international markets.
Majoring in international business opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to international business.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international business.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Security Management Specialists | 765,822 | -1.0% |
| Business Continuity Planners | 678,409 | 12.4% |
| Online Merchants | 677,689 | 10.1% |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 615,875 | -1.7% |
| Sustainability Specialists | 564,227 | 14.3% |
| Chief Sustainability Officers | 440,982 | 0.5% |
| Chief Executives | 374,558 | -2.8% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of international business graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $59,636 |
| 4 years | $68,510 |
| 5 years | $80,462 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international business graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international business grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $149,694 |
| Chief Executives | $138,534 |
| Security Management Specialists | $128,654 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $113,637 |
| Online Merchants | $106,971 |
| Chief Sustainability Officers | $96,628 |
| Sustainability Specialists | $81,004 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
With 392 different international business programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international business school rankings to help you.
Those considering international business, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Business/Trade/Commerce | 6,933 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 402,942 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 81,835 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 62,236 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 57,976 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 57,564 |
| Marketing | 53,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 25,424 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 16,153 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 14,306 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,333 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
