Snagging high-paying job offers at multinational companies could be the biggest motivator for completing international business degrees. According to TheStreet, the global stock market hit a record-high $76.3 trillion in 2017, so the world economy is hungry for managerial talent with cross-cultural skills. Glassdoor ranked international business as the 20th best-paid college major for a mean starting salary of $47,850. However, income potential rises exponentially with global experience to cross the six-figure mark generally in 10 years. One’s IB degree can lead to management occupations that have a $100,790 median wage on the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, CNBC lists average salaries of $118,00 for regional controllers, $141,000 for financial analysis directors, $145,620 for marketing managers, and $196,050 for chief executives.
To maximize the return on investment (ROI) of your degree, we’ve researched the 25 Best International Business Degrees for the Highest Paying Jobs. We began by using the PayScale 2017-18 College Salary Report to locate the best business schools for salary potential. We only considered B-schools ranked in the top 50 based on mid-career median pay above $120,000. Our team cut the list in half by investigating which award undergraduate international business majors or concentrations. Next, we checked each university for Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation that’s prized by employers. Our ranking ensures strong student outcomes by featuring only those with job placement rates above 90% on Poets & Quants or Niche. We also double checked that each of the international business bachelor’s integrated big doses of global experience.
Here are our selections for the 25 Best International Business Degrees for the Highest Paying Jobs:
1. University of California – Berkeley
Named for the Levi Strauss & Co. Chairman in 1989, the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley has 150 faculty led by Dr. Richard Lyons to “Define Leadership Principles” in 2,200 Bruins at the six-storey, $60-million New North Academic Building. UC Berkeley was ranked America’s seventh best business school by the U.S. News & World Report with the ninth best career services in Financial Times. The 120-unit, AACSB-accredited Haas Undergraduate Program offers a Global Management Concentration with a semester-long experience abroad, IBD consulting projects, and activities like the Africa Business Forum.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $152,900
Job Placement Rate: 93.8%
2. Georgetown University
Celebrating its 60th year, the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University stands in Washington DC’s oldest neighborhood with a $91 million endowment and the Global Social Enterprise Center to train 1,400 Hoyas in seven AACSB-accredited, Jesuit-based degrees. Georgetown is deemed America’s 35th best business school on Forbes, 23rd top value in The Economist, and 27th hardest college by Niche. Chaired by Dr. Patricia Grant, the 120-credit BBA in International Business Regional Studies shapes résumés via the Global Business Fellows Program, study abroad trips to 70+ countries, and the Citi International Case Competition.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $152,800
Job Placement Rate: 90.3%
3. Washington and Lee University
Located in Huntley Hall, the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics at Washington and Lee University has boasted AACSB accreditation since 1927 for four disciplines that attract 40 percent of the 2,264 Generals with CIE exchanges. WLU was judged America’s 15th best business college on Niche, 73rd top university by Times Higher Education, and 16th best value in Money. Undergrads declaring the 46-credit BS Major in Business Administration add the International Business Emphasis to join Global Venture Club, attend the Council on Foreign Relations Lunch Series, participate in the East Asian Program, and more.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $152,100
Job Placement Rate: 94%
4. Lehigh University
Home to the Dexter F. Baker Institute, Lehigh University’s AACSB-accredited College of Business administered by Dr. Georgette Chapman Phillips in eastern Pennsylvania offers eighth “Hidden Ivy” programs to 4,904 Mountain Hawks who’ve excelled abroad at Credit Suisse, KPMG, Pfizer, and others. Lehigh is named America’s 23rd top value on Niche, 32nd best business school by Bloomberg, and 18th best finance program on LinkedIn. Students pursuing the 132-credit B.S. in Business & Economics with the International Business Certificate can find EFMD Global Network internships, become Tauck Scholars, and join the Lehigh in Belgium Immersion.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $147,900
Job Placement Rate: 95%
5. University of Pennsylvania
Established in 1881, the Joseph Wharton School has utilized the University of Pennsylvania’s locations in Philly, San Francisco, Beijing, and Insead to teach AACSB-accredited “Knowledge for Action” to over 96,000 Quaker alums in 153 countries. UPenn was chosen America’s 16th best business college by Bloomberg, 10th top school for international students in Forbes, and sixth best Common App university on Niche. The 40-unit Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business (BS/BA) involves taking Ivy League courses like Multinational Management, living in King’s Court, studying abroad, and completing Global Consulting Practicum.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $145,100
Job Placement Rate: 95.5%
6. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Known for its 40+ Global Projects Program sites, Worcester Polytechnic Institute has 42.2 percent acceptance into its AACSB-accredited Robert A. Foisie School of Business chaired by Dr. Kevin Sweeney to teach over 800 Engineers in 11 degrees. WPI was crowned America’s 83rd best university by Times Higher Education, 25th best online business school in the U.S. News & World Report, and 11th top test-optional college on Niche. International & Global Studies B.S. majors tackle a 10-unit, project-based curriculum with opportunities to join the Peace Corps, intern in Hong Kong, enter the Global Ambassadors Program, and take the Great Problems Seminar.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $143,100
Job Placement Rate: 91.7%
7. Babson College
Linked to 38,000 alumni, including CEOs Ernesto Bertarelli, Geoff Molson, and Roger Enrico, the F.W. Olin School of Business at Babson College extends from Greater Boston with 80+ education abroad partners to inspire 3,000 Beavers in AACSB-accredited programs. Babson was proclaimed America’s 61th top private college on Forbes, 26th best business school by Bloomberg, and #1 best entrepreneurship program in The Princeton Review. Coordinated by Dr. Michael Johnson, the 130-credit B.S. International Business Environment Concentration lets undergrads take courses like Trade Policy, celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, visit London Business School, and more.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $141,200
Job Placement Rate: 99%
8. Clarkson University
Recognized at the 2018 AACSB Influential Leaders Challenge, Clarkson University’s David D. Reh School of Business in Snell Hall utilizes part of the $186 million endowment to welcome 400 Golden Knights into seven majors and 100+ clubs. Clarkson is deemed America’s 20th best career services provider in The Princeton Review, 118th top business college on Niche, and 168th best university by Forbes. The 69-credit, logistics-centric Global Supply Chain Management B.S. overseen by Dr. Dayle Smith offers international internships with Lockheed Martin, admission to the Global Business Fair, trips from Armenia to Australia, and ERP certification.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $136,000
Job Placement Rate: 95%
9. Bucknell University
Endowed for $801 million in Lewisburg, Bucknell University has 30 full-time faculty transforming nearly 600 Bisons’ skills within the AACSB-accredited Kenneth W. Freeman College of Management that’s managed by Dr. Raquel Meyer Alexander. Bucknell was placed America’s 52nd best business school on Niche, 46th top private college in Forbes, and 88th most affordable elite university by Washington Monthly. Earning the Global Management BSBA Major could involve courses like International Political Economy, the Bucknell en España Program, Merrill Lynch internships abroad, the African Studies Minor, and Sigma Iota Rho membership.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $135,300
Job Placement Rate: 96%
10. University of Virginia
Founded by the NYSE broker in 1921, the University of Virginia’s AACSB-accredited McIntire School of Commerce in Rouss & Robertson Hall serves 701 undergrad Cavaliers from 35 countries with 95 percent retention in 11 majors. UVA was designated America’s seventh top business school by the U.S. News & World Report, 56th best university in Times Higher Education, and 25th best international relations program on Niche. Organized by Dr. Lynn Hamilton, the Bachelor of Science in Global Commerce Track integrates 120 credits like Global Macro Investing, January Term trips from India to Argentina, and the GCS Thesis option.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $132,300
Job Placement Rate: 90.2%
11. Emory University
Partnered with Oxford College, Emory University’s Goizueta Business School has evolved since 1919 in Atlanta’s Druid Hills near Delta Air Lines to enroll 1,237 Eagles with an average 3.63 GPA in six AACSB-accredited programs. Emory was honored for America’s 20th best business education on the U.S. News & World Report, 15th best financial aid in The Princeton Review, and 12th top career services by Financial Times. Directed by Dr. Andrea Hershatter, the Undergraduate BBA grants the International Business Depth Area to feature Social Enterprise trips to Nicaragua, Intrax internships abroad, and exchange study in 25 countries.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $131,600
Job Placement Rate: 94.4%
12. Fairfield University
Highly regarded for its Universidad Centroamericana Partnership, Fairfield University’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business is a Jesuit, AACSB-accredited division founded in 1947 that’s now inspiring 215 undergrad Stags with BEST classroom simulations. Fairfield was ranked America’s 68th best business college on Niche, 43rd top pick by Bloomberg, and 168th best-loved university in Forbes. Career opportunities in the 60-credit International Business B.S. Major headed by Dr. Mark Ligas include joining Model United Nations, studying in Cape Town, interning with Story Worldwide, and contributing to the Journal of Global Citizenship.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $131,300
Job Placement Rate: 96%
13. University of Southern California
Housed in Los Angeles’ $20-million, 55,000-square-foot Popovich Hall, the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California has abided AACSB standards since 1960 to produce 82,000 Trojan alumni across 123 countries. USC was decreed America’s 25th best business college by Bloomberg, 19th most diverse school on Niche, and 29th top research institution in Washington Monthly. Managed by Dr. Gerald Giaquinta, the World Bachelor in Business welcomes cohorts of 45 into a rigorous, four-year exchange curriculum with the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and Universitá Commerciale Luigi Bocconi.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $131,300
Job Placement Rate: 91.5%
14. Carnegie Mellon University
Launching the Global Leadership Endeavor Initiative, the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University is a private, AACSB-accredited Pittsburgh department endowed for $113 million under Dr. Robert Dammon that’s serving 1,209 Tartans. CMU was picked America’s seventh best business school by the U.S. News & World Report, 23rd most diverse college on Niche, and 17th top value in The Economist. The 364-unit BS in Business Administration awards an International Business Specialization to take Global Treks to Dubai, research at Bosch Institute, join Latin American Business Club, intern with Daimler, and more.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $129,700
Job Placement Rate: 90.5%
Learn more about the Best International Business Degrees for the Highest Paying Jobs Cahere.
15. Georgia Institute of Technology
Revitalized with a $50 gift from Silberlin Manufacturing’s Chairman in June 2012, the Ernest Scheller Jr. School of Business at the Georgia Institute of Technology is a high-tech, AACSB-accredited Midtown Atlanta division that’s led by Dr. Maryam Alavi with 1,510 Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech was recognized for America’s sixth best networking by Poets & Quants, third best classroom experience in The Princeton Review, and 14th top value on Niche. Choosing the International Business Certificate for the 122-credit BSBA offers courses like Global Marketing, AIESEC membership, 60+ study abroad program options, and the Global Social Venture Competition.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $129,300
Job Placement Rate: 96%
Learn more about the Best International Business Degrees for the Highest Paying Jobs here.
16. New York University
Employing 202 full-time faculty, including Nobel Laureates Robert F. Engle and Thomas J. Sargent, the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University selectively admits 2,629 Violets seeking 13 AACSB-accredited majors. NYU was proclaimed America’s 21st best business school in Forbes, 18th top college by the Aspen Institute, and 20th most innovative university on the U.S. News & World Report. Headed by Dr. Geeta Menon, the four-year B.S. in Business delivers a Global Business Concentration for spending IBEX semesters from Singapore to Spain, joining the Consulting Corps, and practicing on the Rosenwald Global Value Fund.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $128,800
Job Placement Rate: 91.8%
Learn about the Best International Business Degrees for the Highest Paying Jobs here.
17. George Washington University
Running the Center for Latin American Issues, George Washington University’s AACSB-accredited School of Business has grown since 1928 to train 3,497 Colonials across 10 departments overseen by Dr. Vivek Choudhury in Foggy Bottom near World Bank. GWU was lauded for America’s 54th best business education by Bloomberg, 19th highest salary increase in Financial Times, and 27th most veteran-friendly courses in Military Times. From Duquès Hall, the 120-credit BBA International Business Concentration lets students join Delta Sigma Pi, declare Peace Studies Minors, participate in the Consulting Abroad Program, and pick 20 short-term overseas courses.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $128,300
Job Placement Rate: 93%
Learn about the Best International Business Degrees for the Highest Paying Jobs here.
18. Villanova University
Heavily recruited by Deloitte, Reckitt Benckiser, JPMorgan, and 50+ others, Villanova University’s School of Business occupies the 33-classroom Bartley Hall and six Centers of Excellence to train 1,753 Wildcats in 19 AACSB-accredited programs. Villanova was judged America’s 136th best value in Money, fifth best Catholic college on Niche, and #1 top business school by Bloomberg. Chaired by Dr. Melina German to “Ignite Change,” the International Business Co-Major helps students strengthens the 125-credit curriculum by becoming Global Leadership Fellows, spending semesters in Urbino, joining the Backpack to Briefcase Program, and earning SAP co-ops.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $126,700
Job Placement Rate: 98.4%
19. Cornell University
Publishing Administrative Science Quarterly, the Samuel Curtis Johnson College of Business founded at Cornell University in Upstate New York in 1946 is endowed for $210 million under Dr. Mark Nelson to enroll 682 Big Red in 29 programs with 210 faculty. Cornell was named America’s 15th best business school by the U.S. News & World Report, ninth top college in The Wall Street Journal, and 22nd hardest university on Niche. The Dyson School confers an International Trade & Development Concentration for the AEM Bachelor of Science with opportunities like joining the Global China Connection, visiting the Qatar campus, and interning with AXA.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $126,300
Job Placement Rate: 90.1%
20. Fordham University
Home to the Center for Global Security Analysis, Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business is a Catholic, AACSB-accredited Big Apple division near AllianceBernstein that’s led by Dr. Joseph McShane to welcome 2,024 Rams to McKeon Hall. Fordham was deemed America’s 27th best business college by Bloomberg, 14th most religious school in The Princeton Review, and 62nd top private value on Kiplinger’s. Since 2014, the 120-credit B.S. in Global Business has offered concentrations like Global Finance, the Fair Trade Program, Sumitomo Mitsui internships, and Honors Travel from London to Buenos Aires.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $126,200
Job Placement Rate: 91%
21. College of William & Mary
Founded by Julian A.C. Chandler in 1919, the Mason School of Business at the College of William & Mary stands in the Gregorian-style Alan B. Miller Hall to serve 1,200 Griffins in 11 AACSB-accredited programs coordinated by Dr. Larry Pulley. W&M was chosen America’s 12th best business school by Bloomberg, eighth most competitive college in The Princeton Review, and ninth top public university on Niche. Juniors entering the 60-credit, upper-division Business Major with an International Emphasis could summer in Ireland, take the AustraLearn Internship, receive Reves Center funding, become Global Ambassadors, and join Women in Business Club.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $126,100
Job Placement Rate: 92%
22. Saint Mary’s College of California
Bestowed the 2010 AMA Outstanding Professional Development Award, Saint Mary’s College of California follows the motto “Think Globally” in its AACSB-accredited School of Economics & Business Administration headed by Dr. Zhan Li in Silicon Valley with 10 degrees. SMC was declared America’s 15th best business school for Hispanics in Diverse Issues, 70th top Catholic college on Niche, and 52nd best value by WalletHub. The 17-course B.S. in Business Administration Major allows a Global Business Concentration for spending a junior term abroad, landing overseas internships from Volkswagen to Sinopec, and joining International Club.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $125,300
Job Placement Rate: 90%
23. Loyola University – Maryland
Endowed for $16 million, the Joseph A. Sellinger, S.J. School of Business at Loyola University Maryland is a Jesuit, AACSB-accredited CUIBE member established in 1980 that’s occupying a 50,000-square-foot Baltimore building to educate 1,944 Greyhounds. LUM was placed America’s 28th best business school by Bloomberg, 184th top university in Times Higher Education, and 18th most politically active college on The Princeton Review. Chaired by Dr. Kathleen Getz, the 51-credit B.B.A. International Business Concentration opens career doors to take the Chilean Study Tour, enter the Global Investment Research Challenge, pledge Alpha Iota Delta, and join Project Mexico.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $124,400
Job Placement Rate: 95%
24. SUNY Binghamton University
Overseen by Dr. Upinder Dhillon, a Koffman Scholar of Finance, the AACSB-accredited School of Management at SUNY Binghamton University has grown since 1970 to employ 66 full-time faculty and teach 1,469 Bearcats within 22 degree options. Binghamton is crowned America’s 31st top public school in Forbes, 76th best business college by the U.S. News & World Report, and 84th most liberal university on Niche. Choosing the BS in Business Administration: Global Management track could involve Ernst & Young internships abroad, Bilkent University Exchange trips, Center for International Business Advancement projects, and FBLA membership.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $123,600
Job Placement Rate: 92%
25. University of Richmond
Known for its Q-Camp Process, the University of Richmond’s E. Claiborne Robins School of Business is a nonprofit, AACSB-accredited CIUBE member worth $175 million near the Virginia Capitol to educate 774 Spiders in classes averaging 22. UR was considered America’s 46th best business school in Bloomberg, 18th best liberal arts college on Niche, and second top study abroad university by IIE’s Open Door Report. Directed by Dr. Thomas Cossé in Queally Hall, the 35-unit BSBA Major awards an International Business Concentration with career-building options like earning a Dual Diploma in Rouen, traveling to 27 countries, and joining Ambassador Club.
Mid-Career Median Pay: $122,400
Job Placement Rate: 96%