by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in International/Globalization Studies explores International/globalization Studies. A Program That Focuses On Global And International Issues From The Perspective Of The Social Sciences, Social Services, And Related Fields. Examples: [Global Studies]. Continue reading for the essential details every international/globalization studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international/globalization studies programs.
Nationwide, international/globalization studies is a widely-pursued major, with 5,740 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International/Globalization Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 324 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international/globalization studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international/globalization studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for International/Globalization Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international/globalization studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a international/globalization studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a international/globalization studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international/globalization studies 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 | 48 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 28 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,548 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,099 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 14 |
People currently working in careers related to international/globalization studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 88.5% |
| Master’s degree | 7.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international/globalization studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying international/globalization studies can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to international/globalization studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international/globalization studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | 1,421,275 | 11.1% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of international/globalization studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,789 |
| 4 years | $57,044 |
| 5 years | $66,781 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international/globalization studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international/globalization studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $47,617 |
With 324 different international/globalization studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international/globalization studies school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
