by our College Data Analytics TeamHave you ever wanted to travel or conduct business with other cultures? A major in International Business would provide a great education for you to meet your goals.
By majoring in International Business, you will learn the how to think internationally about the business world. You will be instructed in international markets and operations, in order to help you understand different customs. Students will be take a variety of courses including foreign languages, global logistics, international finance, marketing, and operations, and communications. These classes will help prepare you for entering into the international business world following your education.
International Business was the 89th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 8,014 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best International Business Schools ranking analyzes 131 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for international business students. Explore this or one of our many other custom international business rankings further below.
In order to be successful in International Business you must be open to learning new cultures and customs. This career involves a lot of travel and interacts with people of different cultures, therefore respecting their traditions and customs is critical in order to do successful business. Being an efficient communicator is a critical skill needed for this major. Many students learn a second or third language to aid their business relations.
There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to experience the culture first hand. Some students decide to pursue their Master's or Ph.D. in International Business as well.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific international business careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
International Business degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in international business to the highest international business degree, a . Depending on the international business degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to international business, with approximately 24.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for international business workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 24.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 20.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 15.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 11.8% |
| Some College Courses | 8.5% |
Most workers in international business have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in international business careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the international business career you are seeking.
With a degree in International Business, graduates can do many different things. One option is to become a representative of the International Trade Administration. These professionals provide advice and help to exporters in the United States. Titles in this profession include International Economist, Import Compliance Specialist, and International Trade Specialist. The demand for these professionals is not high, however with a master's degree or Ph.D. job opportunities grow.
Graduates can also go into international banking with this degree. You would be working in either a domestic bank with foreign accounts, or vice-versa. This job is in demand due to the emerging international markets.
Becoming a Cultural Adviser is another option. These professionals help businesses with market research to assist their expansion into international markets.
Want a job when you graduate with your international business degree? International Business careers are expected to grow 7.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international business.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 2,468,300 | 9.1% |
| Chief Executives | 296,800 | -3.9% |
| Business Professors | 123,000 | 18.0% |
International Business graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $56,644 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $15,202 to as high as $190,893. As you might expect, salaries for international business graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for international business graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers international business grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $200,140 |
| General and Operations Managers | $123,880 |
| Business Professors | $103,330 |
With over 876 different international business degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased international business school rankings to help you with this.
International Business is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| International Business/Trade/Commerce | 8,014 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 403,753 |
| Accounting | 93,982 |
| General Business/Commerce | 56,779 |
| Finance & Financial Management | 54,690 |
| Marketing | 52,078 |
