In our modern society, global expansion of business has increased the need for employees who understand how to expand into international markets and operate business in a culture other than their own. You can make your own mark on the rising global marketplace with the business skills and knowledge that can be gained through a degree program in international business.

During an international business program, you should develop an understanding of international politics, finances and cultures, and learn how to apply that knowledge both domestically and abroad. These degree programs aim to prepare graduates to compete in the global market. Some degree programs may even require you to learn a foreign language or complete a study abroad program as part of their major requirements.

Do you want to know more about the top schools that offer international business degree programs? Are you curious about the career options available for graduates with an international business degree? Read on to learn more.

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Best Online Colleges for International Business in 2018

Below you will find a ranking of the top 10 schools for an online degree program in international business. This list has been created using data from the National Center for Education Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), analyzed through a unique methodology that you can read more about at the bottom of this page.

1

Arizona State University-Tempe

Tuition & Fees
$10,822
Distance Education Participation
46%
Location
Tempe, AZ
School Type
4-year
Arizona State University-Tempe is one of numerous Arizona State University campuses located throughout the greater Phoenix area. The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University offers an online Bachelor of Arts program in business. Students can choose to concentrate in global leadership or global logistics management.

The global leadership concentration focuses on teaching leadership and management skills that can be applied in a global setting. Through the program, students may also have the opportunity to work or study abroad. According to the school’s website, the program is designed to give graduates “immediate relevance in the global business world.” Similarly, the global logistics management concentration can also prepare students to work in international organizations. The program aims to teach students the ins and outs of logistics management, as well as how to apply that knowledge to global distribution of goods.

The school also offers an online MBA program with a concentration in international business. The online MBA provides flexible elective options and allows students to take one core course at a time. This makes it ideal for working individuals who are juggling their career and life but still want to focus on their studies.

The most significant item that helped Arizona State University-Tempe rank number one overall is its high graduation rate. Out of 26 schools, Arizona State University earned a second place score in this metric because the school had a 63 percent graduate rate in 2014. Additionally, Arizona State University had an 84 percent admissions rate in the same year. This helped the school earn third place in accessibility, sharing a three-way tie for this metric with University of Houston-Downtown and Southern New Hampshire University.

Accreditation:

  • North Central Association Higher Learning Commission
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Location:

1151 S. Forest Ave.
Tempe, Arizona 85281
2

University of Houston-Downtown

Tuition & Fees
$6,500
Distance Education Participation
51%
Location
Houston, TX
School Type
4-year

University of Houston-Downtown is located right in the heart of downtown Houston. The College of Business at the university offers an online bachelor’s program in business administration. This degree includes major programs in finance, enterprise information systems (EIS), general business and international business. The international business major has a strong global focus. It aims to combine the study of business skills with international practices and theories.

The university ranked third in accessibility out of 26 schools, sharing a three-way tie with Arizona State University-Tempe and Southern New Hampshire University for accessibility. The school earned its high ranking for this metric because it had an 84 percent acceptance rate in 2014. Also significant, the University of Houston-Downtown ranked seventh in prominence, meaning the school awards a higher percentage of international business degrees compared to other schools.

Accreditation:

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Location:

One Main St.
Houston, Texas 77002
3

Florida International University

Tuition & Fees
$6,546
Distance Education Participation
65%
Location
Miami, FL
School Type
4-year
Florida International University is among the top 10 largest universities in the nation. As such, the school has a robust business department. The university’s R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration degree program with an international business concentration. This program aims to teach an understanding of both business and information technology.

In addition, the school’s Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business offers an online master's degree program in international business. This degree is designed to help students gain hands-on skills as they examine actual international business scenarios. The school says that graduates “emerge ready to lead and manage international teams.”

Overall, Florida International University ranked No. 3 out of 26 schools that offer an online international business degree. The school earned third place for the prominence metric. With a 54 percent graduation rate, the university also earned an eighth place score for graduation rate.

Accreditation:

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Location:

11200 S.W. 8th St.
Miami, Florida 33199
4

Minot State University

Tuition & Fees
$7,064
Distance Education Participation
50%
Location
Minot, ND
School Type
4-year
Minot State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in International Business program. In addition to teaching students international business principles, the program is designed to teach strategy, management, leadership and decision-making skills that can be applied in a global setting. On its website, the school explains that their graduates have worked in a range of organizations, including government and nonprofit institutions.

Minot State University ranked No. 4 overall, partly because of its high prominence ranking. The school earned a fourth place score for prominence out of 26 schools. This is because almost 5 percent of the total degrees or certificates awarded by the school are in the field of international business. This is a high percent of degrees awarded in international business, compared to other schools.

Accreditation:

  • Higher Learning Commission
  • International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

Location:

500 University Avenue West
Minot, North Dakota 58707
5

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Tuition & Fees
$29,450
Distance Education Participation
36%
Location
Mequon, WI
School Type
4-year
Concordia University-Wisconsin is a Lutheran university located near Lake Michigan. In addition to its main campus location, Concordia has 10 center locations which offer accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs.

Concordia University-Wisconsin offers an online program for an MBA in international business. The school also offers a program for an online certificate in international business. There are numerous benefits for students enrolled in online classes at Concordia University. One of these benefits is the diversity of the students enrolled in the international business MBA program. According to the school’s website, international students make up 40 percent of the program’s student body.

The university scored third place in graduation rate, due to its high 2014 graduation rate of 61 percent. Concordia University-Wisconsin also scored eighth place for prominence and 12th place for accessibility out of 26 ranked schools that offer an international business program online.

Accreditation:

  • Higher Learning Commission
  • International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

Location:

12800 N Lake Shore Drive
Mequon, Wisconsin 53097
6

Northern State University

Tuition & Fees
$8,497
Distance Education Participation
55%
Location
Aberdeen, SD
School Type
4-year

Northern State University is conveniently located near downtown Aberdeen. Notably, Northern State University’s website states that they have “been recognized nationally as one of the best and most affordable institutions in the Midwest.”

Northern State University offers an online bachelor’s program in international business. This program combines the study of business concepts and theories with additional subjects that can help prepare students to manage international organizations, such as culture, politics and foreign languages. The school states that graduates can go on to work in many different types of international companies.

The school’s accessibility ranking is the most notable item that helped Northern State University rank in the top ten colleges that offer an online international business program. The university ranked seventh out of 26 schools for this particular metric. This is because the school had an 83 percent admissions rate in 2014.

Accreditation:

  • Higher Learning Commission
  • Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs

Location:

1200 South Jay St.
Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401
7

Southern New Hampshire University

Tuition & Fees
$31,136
Distance Education Participation
94%
Location
Manchester, NH
School Type
4-year

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution located on a 300-acre campus in Manchester, New Hampshire. The university also has regional centers in Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem, New Hampshire, as well as Brunswick, Maine.

Southern New Hampshire University offers a number of online degree options in international business. The university offers an online bachelor’s program in business with a concentration in international management. It also offers an online bachelor’s program in international business. Since international business programs at other schools are typically offered as a specialization within a general business major, Southern New Hampshire University’s international business program is relatively rare. Students in this program will focus their studies directly on international business.

Also offered by the school is an online International Master of Business Administration degree program. This program teaches students through a combination of business theory and research.

In addition, the university offers an online international business graduate certificate program. The certificate program is designed to teach students the specific skillset they need to work at an international corporation.

The university ranked No. 7 overall out of 26 ranked schools. Part of the reason the school ranked so high was that it earned third place for accessibility. Southern New Hampshire University tied with two other schools for this third place score. The school had an 84 percent admissions rate in 2014, which might mean this university is a good option for students who don’t want to fill out numerous school applications.

Accreditation:

  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Location:

2500 North River Road
Manchester, New Hampshire 03106
8

Oklahoma Baptist University

Tuition & Fees
$28,258
Distance Education Participation
10%
Location
Shawnee, OK
School Type
4-year

Located in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small, Christian university. The school aims to educate though a Christian worldview.

Oklahoma Baptist University offers an online program for an MBA in International Business. As part of the program, students participate in an international business practicum, where they will learn about global business practices while interning with an international business in a foreign country. The cost of this exciting international internship is included in the tuition of the program.

The most prominent methodology metric that makes Oklahoma Baptist University stand out among the top ten schools is its second place prominence ranking. The school awards over 5 percent of its degrees in the field of international business. This is the highest score for prominence out of the top ten schools that offer an online international business program.

Accreditation:

  • Higher Learning Commission
  • Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs

Location:

500 W. University
Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804
9

Hawaii Pacific University

Tuition & Fees
$25,980
Distance Education Participation
50%
Location
Honolulu, HI
School Type
4-year

Hawaii Pacific University is located on the island of Oahu in downtown Honolulu. On the other hand, the school’s other campus, Hawaii Loa, is located on a 135-acre lot in the residential foothills. The university is also home to the Oceanic Institute, a prominent research center.

The College of Business at Hawaii Pacific University offers an online MBA with an international business concentration. This program focuses on technology as well as international business principles. According to the school’s website, the international business MBA program is “designed to provide the knowledge and experience to lead, innovate, and succeed.”

The school earned a fifth place score in prominence. This is because over 2.7 percent of the total degrees the school awarded in 2014 were in the field of international business. Compared to other schools, this was a higher percentage.

Accreditation:

  • Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Location:

1164 Bishop St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
10

University of the Incarnate Word

Tuition & Fees
$31,484
Distance Education Participation
24%
Location
San Antonio, TX
School Type
4-year

University of the Incarnate Word is a Catholic institution in San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the United States. The school has several campuses located throughout San Antonio, as well as in other cities in Texas.

The School of Business and Administration at University of the Incarnate Word offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, which allows students to select an international business specialization. With the help of their academic adviser, students design their program’s emphasis by choosing classes that fit their desired area of study.

Also offered by the university is an online MBA program which, like the bachelor’s program, allows students to create a custom specialization under the supervision of their advisor.

For students looking for a school that gives them a higher chance of being accepted, University of the Incarnate Word may be a good option. In 2014, the university accepted 93 percent of its applicants. In fact, this helped the school earn a first place score in accessibility out of 26 ranked schools that offer an online international business degree.

Accreditation:

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Location:

4301 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Interview with an Expert

The immersion trip ... is a required part of the MBA program. This international
travel experience provides a great opportunity for students to practically apply
concepts learned in their coursework with different international businesses.

Ashley DeKock

Director of Career Advancement

Oklahoma Baptist University

Interview with an Expert

Ashley DeKock

Director of Career Advancement

Oklahoma Baptist University

Q: What qualities make Oklahoma Baptist University's online MBA in international business an outstanding program?

A: Primarily is the immersion trip which is a required part of the MBA program. This international travel experience provides a great opportunity for students to practically apply concepts learned in their coursework with different international businesses. Through this immersion trip students gain a global perspective and gain foresight into business both internationally and domestically.

Secondly is the diversity of adjunct professors teaching courses for the MBA program. Adjunct professors are leaders in a variety of international businesses, many of whom run large businesses themselves. Hence, they bring a great amount of knowledge and firsthand experience to the MBA program which is a great benefit and advantage for students.

Q: What support does Oklahoma Baptist University offer their online student body?

A: First is that all students have access to Canvas, the course management system used for online classes. Through Canvas students can keep track of their assignments and are provided multiple ways they can submit them. In addition, students can check their grades as well as access quizzes, take quizzes and surveys, and view their quiz results.

Secondly, students are provided abundant access to their professors through technology. Through online chat sessions, Skype, and FaceTime students can contact their professors regarding assignments, coursework, or any other questions or concerns they may have.

Q: How does the online program in international business differ from the on-campus program?

A: First, the online program allows students to work at their own pace. Basically, this means that they do the coursework at their own convenience, as long as they submit assignments by the due dates. Likewise, through web-based instruction students have the freedom to attend class wherever they are. And through the online portal, students are able to intern and gain real work experience without having to interrupt their normal routine.

Second, OBU offers mentoring as an opportunity for students to debate and discuss critical issues that never come up in most classrooms or case studies. The mentoring is an integral and required part of students' education. Students can attend 30 live, local sessions led by area professionals which provide worldwide networking opportunities.

Degree Overview: International Business

For students who are interested in having careers working for global companies or in international markets, it's important to understand not only business, but also culture. An international business major will find themselves completing a lot of the same coursework that a typical business major would, but with a rather different point of view. Let's take a closer look at the way an international business major might approach their courses and the skills this might develop for them.

Online International Business Courses

Like their regular business major counterparts, international business students will have to learn the foundations of the field: accounting, management, marketing, finance, economics, ethics, law, etc.

What makes international business coursework unique is that these concepts are taught through a global lens. Economics have all sorts of implications when approached from an international point of view; factors such as international relations, exchange rates and global markets can completely change the approach a businessperson should take in their dealings, which necessitates a different approach from your typical business program. For example, a international management course might focus on how to work within or alongside organizations whose workforce might have vastly different cultures, traditions and value systems, addressing many different situations that may not come up in a regular business course.

Here are some of the courses that international business majors (either at the bachelor's or master's degree level) might be required to take:

  • International Trade
  • International Human Resources Management
  • Globalization and Global Supply Chain
  • International Taxation
  • International Marketing
  • International Financial Management
  • International Studies in Business & Economics
  • Global Information Systems

In addition, it's usually recommended (if not required) that international business majors also take foreign language courses and/or study abroad or intern for a semester. Studying abroad can be a particularly valuable experience, as steeping yourself in the language and culture of another country is one of the best ways to come to understand it.

Career-Related Skills to Develop

The process of earning a degree in international business usually exposes students to a multi-layered set of skills that can be beneficial to them in their careers. For starters, they should have a strong foundational knowledge of business concepts (management, accounting, finance, marketing, business law, etc.), and how organizations are structured. Knowing these concepts is imperative for being able to assess and evaluate business models, detecting problems and devising solutions. Without this technical understanding, it's very difficult to compete in the aggressive global market.

On the more cultural side of things, students should make sure they are learning from their courses to develop a sense of cultural awareness regarding international business practices, laws and regulations, as well as sensitivity towards the traditions and mindsets of cultures that are not your own. Last, fluency in another language, preferably from the region in which one hopes to do business, is a highly beneficial — and marketable — skill for obvious reasons.

International Business Career Outlook

A degree in international business can lead to a number of career options. In this section, you will be introduced to a number of jobs that graduates with a degree in international business may want to pursue as a career.

Buyer and Purchasing Agent
Average Salary
$69,680
Projected Job Openings
40,200
Projected Job Growth
-7.4
Entry-level Education
N/A
Buyer and purchasing agents buy and source the products a company needs to succeed. Some jobs require workers to purchase products internationally, communicate with foreign venders and manage the international transport of items. In these positions, companies may prefer to hire graduates with international business degrees. Also, some companies specifically have positions for international buying and purchasing agents. With additional experience or education, buyer and purchasing agents may be able to advance to positions such as purchasing manager, supply manager or director of materials.
Financial Examiner
Average Salary
$92,330
Projected Job Openings
5,200
Projected Job Growth
7.1
Entry-level Education
Bachelor's degree
Financial examiners inspect a company’s financial documents to ensure the business is operating legally. Financial examiners also verify that financial and securities interactions between companies are legal. Since financial and securities interactions span the globe into international markets, a degree in international business can be especially beneficial in this profession.

These professionals may be able to advance to a position as a senior examiner. In addition to job experience, an advanced degree may be beneficial for professionals looking for advancement. Some employers may require a master's degree in either accounting or business, while others may look for candidates with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
Logistician
Average Salary
$78,680
Projected Job Openings
17,900
Projected Job Growth
4.8
Entry-level Education
Bachelor's degree
Logisticians manage a company’s supply chain, helping coordinate the movement of products between supplier and consumer. A number of logistician jobs focus specifically on international logistics, which deal with supply chain that cross international borders. Professionals with a degree in international business are especially beneficial to companies because they have the knowledge to successfully operate in the international trade community. Their knowledge about international purchasing and sourcing, international marketing strategies, monetary systems, international and domestic transportation and logistics, and organizational culture can serve as a great asset to companies and organizations.
Economist
Average Salary
$116,630
Projected Job Openings
1,800
Projected Job Growth
8.1
Entry-level Education
Master's degree
Economists study, research, and analyze data to understand economic issues and make predictions on the state of a county’s economy. Some economists analyze and evaluate markets and financial trends that affect the international arena. The economists who use their expertise to evaluate global economic issues may benefit from holding degree in international business since they would have studied the challenges and processes of global companies and industries. Many economists work in federal, state or local government. Other economists work for major international companies such as global banks.
Operations Research Analyst
Average Salary
$90,600
Projected Job Openings
10,900
Projected Job Growth
25.6
Entry-level Education
Bachelor's degree
Operations research analysts solve problems within a company and offer recommendations for improvement to help the organization run smoothly and efficiently. They do this by data mining to gather information, and they analyze this information with technology, statistical analysis and simulations.

Some companies specifically look to hire individuals with knowledge and experience in international business to help grow their international infrastructure and drive the company's global growth. For example, an international business operations analyst reports on a company's international growth and identifies opportunities for improvements to current processes within the global business.
Sources