by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in International & Intercultural Communication involves the study of International And Intercultural Communication. A Program That Focuses On The Specialized Knowledge And Skills Needed For Effective Communication In The International Community And Among People Of Different Cultures; And That Prepares Individuals To Function At The National And International Levels As Journalists, Public Relations Specialists, Travel Industry Representatives, Intercultural Trainers, And/or Foreign Service Officers. Includes Instruction In Journalism, Communications, Intercultural And International Relations, Marketing And Public Relations, And Global Communications Policy. Continue reading for the important information every international & intercultural communication major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international & intercultural communication programs.
Across the country, international & intercultural communication is a widely-pursued major, with 183 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International & Intercultural Communication Schools ranking analyzes these 24 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international & intercultural communication students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international & intercultural communication programs later in this article.
Programs in International & Intercultural Communication build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international & intercultural communication graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a international & intercultural communication program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a international & intercultural communication major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international & intercultural communication 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 | 17 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 46 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 120 |
People currently working in careers related to international & intercultural communication tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 55.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international & intercultural communication careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in international & intercultural communication prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to international & intercultural communication.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international & intercultural communication.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | 92,155 | -0.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of international & intercultural communication graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,317 |
| 4 years | $55,248 |
| 5 years | $64,495 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international & intercultural communication graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international & intercultural communication grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
With 24 different international & intercultural communication programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international & intercultural communication school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in international & intercultural communication, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Advertising | 4,308 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 4,077 |
| Public Relations/Image Management | 4,061 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communications | 1,956 |
| Organizational Communication, General | 1,789 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other | 1,296 |
| Sports Communication | 1,202 |
| Health Communication | 362 |
| Political Communication | 211 |
| Technical and Scientific Communication | 191 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
