by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying International Marketing involves the study of International Marketing. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Perform Marketing Activities In Enterprises Primarily Engaged In Exporting Or Importing Goods And Services In World Markets. Includes Instruction In International Trade Controls, Foreign Trade Operations, Locating Markets, Negotiation Practices, Monetary Issues, And International Public Relations. Continue reading for the key facts every international marketing student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international marketing programs.
Nationwide, international marketing is a widely-pursued major, with 487 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Marketing Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international marketing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international marketing programs later in this article.
Programs in International Marketing emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international marketing graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a international marketing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a international marketing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international marketing 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 | 4 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 101 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 378 |
People currently working in careers related to international marketing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 48.2% |
| Master’s degree | 27.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international marketing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying international marketing can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to international marketing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international marketing.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 671,367 | 10.3% |
| Marketing Managers | 259,371 | -4.4% |
| Search Marketing Strategists | 199,758 | 8.2% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of international marketing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,976 |
| 4 years | $58,749 |
| 5 years | $68,122 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international marketing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international marketing grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Marketing Managers | $90,143 |
| Search Marketing Strategists | $85,177 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
With 14 different international marketing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international marketing school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in international marketing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 50,466 |
| Digital Marketing | 1,303 |
| Marketing, Other | 1,294 |
| Marketing Research | 200 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
