by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in International Policy Analysis covers International Policy Analysis. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Analysis Of Public Policy Issues Related To Relationships Among Nations And Among Governments And Non-Governmental Entities. Includes Instruction In International Politics, Governance, Financial Policy, And Security Affairs; Globalization; Economic And Social Policies Of Developing Nations; And Applications To Specific Public Policy Topics Such As Labor And Employment, Immigration, And Human Rights. Read on to learn the important information every international policy analysis major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international policy analysis programs.
Across the country, international policy analysis is a popular field of study, with 276 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Policy Analysis Schools ranking analyzes these 19 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international policy analysis students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international policy analysis programs later in this article.
Studies in International Policy Analysis build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international policy analysis graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a international policy analysis program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a international policy analysis major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international policy analysis 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 | 138 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 134 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to international policy analysis tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 87.9% |
| Master’s degree | 6.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.3% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in international policy analysis careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in international policy analysis prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to international policy analysis.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international policy analysis.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of international policy analysis graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,429 |
| 4 years | $83,181 |
| 5 years | $95,174 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for international policy analysis graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international policy analysis grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,472 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $41,630 |
With 19 different international policy analysis programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international policy analysis school rankings to help you.
Those considering international policy analysis, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Policy Analysis, General | 5,419 |
| Health Policy Analysis | 301 |
| Education Policy Analysis | 104 |
| Public Policy Analysis, Other | 83 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
