Development Economics and International Development: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Development Economics and International Development is a rigorous academic field dedicated to understanding the mechanisms that drive economic growth and equitable progress across nations and regions. This program equips students with analytical tools to evaluate development challenges and design evidence-based strategies for sustainable transformation in low- and middle-income contexts.
- Economic development theory: Explores foundational models and frameworks that explain patterns of growth, inequality, and structural change in developing economies.
- Industrialization: Investigates the processes and policies that enable countries to transition from agrarian to industrial and service-based economies.
- Land reform: Analyzes historical and contemporary approaches to land ownership, distribution, and tenure systems in fostering inclusive economic development.
- Infrastructural development: Examines the role of transportation, energy, water, and digital networks in enabling economic activity and regional connectivity.
- Investment policy: Studies domestic and foreign investment frameworks, risk assessment, and incentives that shape capital flows in developing regions.
- Role of governments and business in development: Assesses public sector institutions, regulatory environments, and private sector engagement in driving and sustaining development outcomes.
- International development organizations: Provides insight into the functions, influence, and policy mandates of entities such as the World Bank, IMF, UN agencies, and multilateral development banks.
- Social, health, and environmental influences on development: Integrates interdisciplinary perspectives on how education, healthcare access, climate change, and ecological sustainability shape long-term economic trajectories.
Development Economics and International Development Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Development Economics and International Development Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Development Economics and International Development degrees, including Managers, All Other, Economics Teachers, Postsecondary and Economists. 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. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 692,220 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1063 | $119,980 | $57,550 - $217,160 | 12,420 | N/A |
| Economists 19-3011 | $115,440 | $62,340 - $212,710 | 15,880 | $55.50 |
| Social Science Research Assistants 19-4061 | $58,040 | $36,410 - $100,620 | 32,940 | $27.90 |
Development Economics and International Development Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $76,115 in Florida to $135,990 in Delaware—a 79% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, District of Columbia, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 692,220 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Development Economics and International Development by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 48 institutions offering Development Economics and International Development 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 Development Economics and International Development is found at University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (82 graduates), Brandeis University (35 graduates), Williams College (30 graduates), Tulane University of Louisiana (18 graduates), and University of Vermont (UVM) (18 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 375 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
82 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Master's
|
35 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Williams College |
Master's
|
30 | Williamstown, Massachusetts | Private | williams.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
18 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
17 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
13 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
|
13 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
|
8 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Master's
|
8 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Andrews University |
Master's
|
7 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Gallaudet University |
Master's
|
6 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gallaudet.edu |
| Covenant College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Lookout Mountain, Georgia | Private | covenant.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Master's
|
6 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
5 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | San Diego, California | Private | pointloma.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Master's
|
4 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Master's
|
4 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Huntington University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Huntington, Indiana | Private | huntington.edu |
| St Catherine University (St. Kate’s) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stkate.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Stetson University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | DeLand, Florida | Private | stetson.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| Houghton University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Houghton, New York | Private | houghton.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Houston, Texas | Private | stthom.edu |
| Regent University |
Master's
|
2 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Master's
|
1 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Master's
|
1 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| Webster University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Oral Roberts University (ORU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | oru.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| Trinity University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | new.trinity.edu |
| Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Private | emu.edu |
| Northwest University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Kirkland, Washington | Private | northwestu.edu |
| Northwest University (COEE) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Kirkland, Washington | Private | northwestu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Development Economics and International Development programs
How much can I earn with a Development Economics and International Development degree?
Salaries for Development Economics and International Development graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Economics Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $119,980. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $135,990 compared to $76,115 in Florida. Approximately 692,220 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Development Economics and International Development programs?
Currently 48 accredited institutions offer Development Economics and International Development degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (82 graduates), Brandeis University (35 graduates), and Williams College (30 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 Development Economics and International Development growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 898 in 2010 to a peak of 595 in 2020, before declining slightly to 375 in 2023-24. This represents a 58% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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.
What career paths are available with a Development Economics and International Development degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, and Economists. Related occupations employ approximately 692,220 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Social Sciences field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Anthropology
Any instructional program in Anthropology not listed above.
Archaeology
A program that focuses on the systematic study of extinct societies, and the past of living societies, via the excavation, analysis and interpretation...
Criminology
A program that focuses on the systematic study of crime as a sociopathological phenomenon, the behavior of criminals, and the social institutions evolved...
Demography and Population Studies
A program that focuses on the systematic study of population models and population phenomena, and related problems of social structure and behavior. Includes...
Economics
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with...
Applied Economics
A program that focuses on the application of economic principles and analytical techniques to the study of particular industries, activities, or the exploitation...