International/Globalization Studies graduates earn $59,972 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,760 and $82,911. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers International/Globalization Studies 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 Interdisciplinary Studies and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
International/Globalization Studies is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $59,972 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 425 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 6,458 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$32,819
Median Earnings · 4yr
$59,972
Colleges Offering
425
Graduates / Year
6,458
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,175
How Much Do International/Globalization Studies Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing International/Globalization Studies, a typical graduate earns $59,972, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $40,760 and $82,911, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $32,819 at one year out to $59,972 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$59,972
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$56,538
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every International/Globalization Studies graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$40,76025th pct.
$59,972Median
$82,91175th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $59,972 and an estimated $76,700 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.6 years.
Based on outcomes from 362 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 6,458 students who complete International/Globalization Studies programs each year, the majority (82%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
82%
Bachelor's82%
Master's15%
Post-Bacc Cert.1%
What Can You Do With an International/Globalization Studies Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. International/Globalization Studies graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Political Scientist pays the most at $142,080/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
Teach political science.
Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
Top Colleges for International/Globalization Studies
Not sure where to study International/Globalization Studies? These 20 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 International/Globalization Studies graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
International/Globalization Studies is not the only path through Interdisciplinary Studies: 38 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an International/Globalization Studies program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on International/Globalization Studies shows 3 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $59,972 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $32,819 at graduation to $59,972 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Wide availabilityOffered at 425 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
How much do International/Globalization Studies graduates earn?
$59,972 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $40,760 and $82,911, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an International/Globalization Studies degree?
$32,819 in the first year out. That grows to $59,972 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/Globalization Studies degree?
Political Scientist is one path, and it pays a median of $142,080 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/Globalization Studies program take?
Four years of full-time study for an International/Globalization Studies bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer International/Globalization Studies?
425 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/Globalization Studies degree worth it?
$59,972 median earnings four years out against $19,175 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/Globalization Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies?
International/Globalization Studies is the narrower of the two: Interdisciplinary Studies covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to International/Globalization Studies-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/Globalization Studies graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring International/Globalization Studies graduates consistently look for writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for International/Globalization Studies graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $59,972, graduate study in International/Globalization Studies 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.
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Other programs in Interdisciplinary Studies. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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