International and Comparative Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
International and Comparative Education explores the diverse ways education functions across global societies, emphasizing cross-cultural analysis and systemic evaluation. This field equips students with the tools to understand how educational systems are shaped by historical, political, and socioeconomic forces, while addressing pressing global challenges in learning and equity.
- Comparative Research Methods: Advanced analytical frameworks used to systematically examine and contrast educational systems, policies, and outcomes across nations.
- Country- or Area-Specific Studies: In-depth exploration of educational structures, curricula, and reform initiatives within particular regions or individual nations.
- Cross-National Studies of Learning and Teaching Styles: Investigation into how pedagogical approaches, classroom dynamics, and student engagement vary across cultural and national contexts.
- International Educational Policy and Development: Examination of global policy frameworks, development initiatives, and collaborative efforts aimed at improving education access, quality, and sustainability.
- Analysis of Educational Migration Patterns and Experiences: Study of student and educator mobility, including the causes, impacts, and implications of international movement within educational systems.
International and Comparative Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
International and Comparative Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with International and Comparative Education degrees, including . These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for International and Comparative Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 20 institutions offering International and Comparative Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in International and Comparative Education is found at Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (68 graduates), George Washington University (GW) (57 graduates), New York University (NYU) (23 graduates), Duke University (21 graduates), and Endicott College (15 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 273 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
68 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
57 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Endicott College |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
15 | Beverly, Massachusetts | Private | endicott.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Master's
|
13 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| SIT Graduate Institute (SIT) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Brattleboro, Vermont | Private | sit.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Master's
|
8 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Faith International University (FIU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | faithiu.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
|
6 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Master's
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
4 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Master's
|
4 | Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
2 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about International and Comparative Education programs
Which universities have the largest International and Comparative Education programs?
Currently 20 accredited institutions offer International and Comparative Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (68 graduates), George Washington University (GW) (57 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (23 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in International and Comparative Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 236 in 2010 to a peak of 380 in 2020, before declining slightly to 273 in 2023-24. This represents a 16% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
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