by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in International Economics covers International Economics. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study And Analysis Of International Commercial Behavior And Trade Policy. Includes Instruction In International Trade Theory, Tariffs And Quotas, Commercial Policy, Trade Factor Flows, International Finance And Investment, Currency Regulation And Trade Exchange Rates And Markets, International Trade Negotiation, And International Payments And Accounting Policy. Continue reading for the key facts every international economics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international economics programs.
Nationwide, international economics is a popular field of study, with 281 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Economics Schools ranking analyzes these 26 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international economics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international economics programs later in this article.
Programs in International Economics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international economics graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a international economics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a international economics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international economics 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 220 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 61 |
People currently working in careers related to international economics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 35.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.5% |
| Master’s degree | 9.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 4.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international economics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in international economics can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to international economics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international economics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | 105,398 | -1.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of international economics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,270 |
| 4 years | $74,609 |
| 5 years | $87,950 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international economics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international economics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Environmental Economists | $86,726 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
With 26 different international economics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international economics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in international economics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 22,727 |
| Economics, General | 21,627 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 375 |
| Applied Economics | 368 |
| Economics, Other | 250 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
