Specialization

International Education

International Education graduates earn $78,359 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 17.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Health Specialties Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About International Education

This page covers International Education as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Education and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

International Education is a focused area of study within Education. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $78,359 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 27 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 317 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$40,723
Median Earnings · 4yr
$78,359
Colleges Offering
27
Graduates / Year
317
Avg Net Price / yr
$28,318

How Much Do International Education Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing International Education, a typical graduate earns $78,359, above the national median for college graduates. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $40,723 at one year out to $78,359 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$40,723
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$78,359
4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$79,640
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 317 students who complete International Education programs each year, the majority (75%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Master's 75%
Post-Bacc Cert. 14%
Bachelor's 7%

What Can You Do With an International Education Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. International Education graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Training and Development Managers pay the most at $133,000/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Training and Development Managers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +17.9%
$107,310
$76K $210K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 24,900 openings/yr 221K employed nationally
↘ -0.3%
$105,870
$86K $135K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 20,600 openings/yr 328K employed nationally
↗ +11.0%
$105,650
$82K $141K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 1,900 openings/yr 29K employed nationally
↗ +2.4%
$103,170
$77K $136K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 800 openings/yr 10K employed nationally
↗ +10.1%
$101,860
$78K $133K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 94,100 openings/yr 898K employed nationally
↗ +2.4%
$100,310
$74K $133K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,100 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Top Colleges for International Education

Not sure where to study International Education? These 12 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at George Washington University, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 George Washington University Washington, DC · Nonprofit 79 47.1% $36,586 $90,873
2 New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit 27 9.2% $37,050 $82,509
3 Duke University Durham, NC · Nonprofit 20 5.7% $29,612 $97,800
4 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit 13 81.6% $36,079 $71,530
5 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA · Nonprofit 11 16.4% $41,704 $103,937
6 American University Washington, DC · Nonprofit 10 62% $41,943 $77,370
7 Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN · Public 7 78.2% $16,264 $63,742
8 University at Albany Albany, NY · Public 7 69.1% $17,167 $67,979
9 Florida International University Miami, FL · Public 6 54.7% $9,288 $60,249
10 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH · Public 5 86.3% $20,787 $45,388
11 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX · Public 5 90.3% $16,404 $54,211
12 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA · Nonprofit 2 25.9% $36,931 $105,584

Ranked by International Education graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an International Education program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

International Education Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make International Education a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $78,359 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $40,723 at graduation to $78,359 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +17.9% over the next decade, with Health Specialties Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 162,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • Limited program availability Only 27 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

International Education Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do International Education graduates earn?
$78,359 is the national median four years after finishing the program. The full spread above and below that figure has not been reported, so treat it as a midpoint rather than what any one graduate will earn. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an International Education degree?
$40,723 in the first year out. That grows to $78,359 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an International Education degree?
Training and Development Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $133,000 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an International Education program take?
Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many International Education students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.
How many colleges offer International Education?
27 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an International Education degree worth it?
$78,359 median earnings four years out against $28,318 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between International Education and Education?
International Education is the narrower of the two: Education covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to International Education-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in International Education graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring International Education graduates consistently look for research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for International Education graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $78,359, graduate study in International Education tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for International Education graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +6.5% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Health Specialties Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +17.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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