International Economics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
International Economics is a rigorous academic field dedicated to understanding the dynamics of global trade, financial systems, and cross-border economic interactions. It equips students with analytical tools to examine how nations engage in commerce, manage economic policies, and navigate the complexities of the international marketplace.
- International Trade Theory: Explores the principles underlying why countries trade, including comparative advantage, trade patterns, and the impact of globalization on national economies.
- Tariffs and Quotas: Analyzes the role of trade barriers in shaping market access, protecting domestic industries, and influencing global supply chains.
- Commercial Policy: Investigates how governments design and implement policies that affect international trade, including subsidies, anti-dumping measures, and trade regulations.
- Trade Factor Flows: Studies the movement of capital, labor, technology, and other production inputs across national borders and their economic implications.
- International Finance and Investment: Examines cross-border capital flows, foreign direct investment, portfolio investment, and the risks and opportunities associated with global financial markets.
- Currency Regulation and Exchange Rates: Focuses on the mechanisms governing foreign exchange markets, exchange rate determination, and the impact of monetary policy on international trade and investment.
- International Trade Negotiation: Trains students in the processes and strategies used in multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, including those managed by the World Trade Organization.
- International Payments and Accounting Policy: Covers systems for settling international transactions, balance of payments accounting, and standards for financial reporting across borders.
International Economics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
International Economics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with International Economics 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 659,280 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 |
International Economics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $82,827 in Florida to $156,380 in District of Columbia—a 89% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 659,280 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 International Economics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 26 institutions offering International Economics 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 Economics is found at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) (143 graduates), University of Chicago (UChicago) (22 graduates), Colorado College (16 graduates), University of Denver (DU) (14 graduates), and Texas Christian University (TCU) (12 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 281 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University (FHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
143 | Hays, Kansas | Public | fhsu.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Postbac Cert.
|
22 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Colorado College |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | coloradocollege.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Master's
|
14 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
|
10 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
|
8 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Carthage College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Private | carthage.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAFS) |
Other Award
|
3 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Public | uafs.edu |
| Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Master's
|
2 | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
| La Salle University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Salve Regina University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Newport, Rhode Island | Private | salve.edu |
| Rhodes College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | rhodes.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Master's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Emmanuel College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emmanuel.edu |
| Albion College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Albion, Michigan | Private | albion.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| St Catherine University (St. Kate’s) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stkate.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about International Economics programs
How much can I earn with a International Economics degree?
Salaries for International Economics 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 District of Columbia average $156,380 compared to $82,827 in Florida. Approximately 659,280 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 International Economics programs?
Currently 26 accredited institutions offer International Economics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Fort Hays State University (FHSU) (143 graduates), University of Chicago (UChicago) (22 graduates), and Colorado College (16 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 Economics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 355 in 2010 to a peak of 335 in 2020, before declining slightly to 281 in 2023-24. This represents a 21% 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 International Economics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, and Economists. Related occupations employ approximately 659,280 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.
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