Eighty-five percent of the global economy is located outside of the United States. That’s nearly $70 trillion that can only be accessed by those who pursue programs like the 20 Best Online International Business Degrees.
The United States economy is still strong, but new powers like China and Brazil make global expertise valuable. Even American companies need to learn the complexities of many different countries and continents.
Experts in international business learn about trade, currencies, shipping, and even culture. International business can also mean perks like travel to exotic locations.
What is an International Business Degree?
International Business focuses on the trade of goods, services, and capital between countries. Students in the field study the economic and political barriers to trade. They also learn about how changes in technology affect global trade.
Students often pursue study abroad or internship opportunities that expose them to the global marketplace. Foreign language proficiency is often encouraged, along with classes in cultural awareness and ethics.
Degrees in International Business qualify graduates for leadership positions in private, public, and non-profit organizations. Graduates may also pursue careers in human resources or opportunities in entrepreneurship. It’s also possible to earn a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business.
How Much Can You Earn With An International Business Degree?
International Business training can lead to careers in fields such as customs compliance. Financial examiners can focus on customs compliance, and bring home an average annual salary of $82,000 per-year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There are already more than 50,000 people currently employed in this field. The BLS expects another 10 percent job growth in the next decade, which would translate to 5,000 new job openings over the next ten years!
What is Required for an International Business Degree?
Students will be expected to have or pursue elementary economics and business knowledge. They should also have a basic statistical background and be able to perform introductory calculus.
Students will take a mixture of courses in general business and international business. General courses focuses on core theory of business and microeconomics. International courses extend a student’s focus into the complexities and intricacies of the global market.
What Are the Best Online Bachelor’s in International Business?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
New England College of Business and Finance
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $11,640(in state) / $11,640(out of state)
- Eight courses within the program specifically focused on International Business
- 63% of students are employed at organizations that have a Corporate Partner relationship with the New England College of Business
- Offers the lowest tuition of all private four-year colleges in new England
School Wide
Program Level
100%OSR ScoreNew England College has an online Bachelor’s Degree in International Business program. The program includes a Global Strategic Management capstone course in a student’s final semester of study. They also have corporate partners whose employees and family members can receive up to 25 percent tuition reduction.
Ashford University
20-Year ROI$818,512
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $10,848(in state) / $10,848(out of state)
- Courses only last five weeks
- Specialization offered in Logistics Management
- Attend three weeks of courses without incurring liability for tuition
School Wide
Program Level
98%OSR ScoreAshford offers an online Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business. In the program, they emphasize the skill of taking domestic business practices and applying them to the global environment. Students also construct country strategic risk assessment for firms considering operating overseas.
Southern New Hampshire University
20-Year ROI$882,666
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $30,756(in state) / $30,756(out of state)
- Students may transfer up to 90 credits toward the degree
- 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members (full and part-time) and their spouses
- 33 Free Elective credits give students a lot of flexibility with their schedule
School Wide
Program Level
90%OSR ScoreSouthern New Hampshire offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in international business. The program is geared to give students an appreciation for the political, cultural, marketing, and management systems that create international business. Their online programs have an alumni network of more than 75,000 people.
Oral Roberts University
20-Year ROI$744,103
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $25,800(in state) / $25,800(out of state)
- 14 different institutional scholarships available throughout the course of study
- Local service opportunities available for course credit, especially through local churches
- Cognate courses included in the degree plan to diversify the student’s business knowledge
School Wide
Program Level
88%OSR ScoreOral Roberts has an online Bachelor of Science in International Business and Ministry degree program. Their online program focuses on a Whole Person Education grounded in Christ and focused on spiritual, mental, and physical benefits. The idea of the international business program is to develop students’ “business as mission” skills.
Post University
20-Year ROI$812,667
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $15,258(in state) / $15,258(out of state)
- Students typically graduate with only $9,000 in debt
- Online students may have an interview with an admissions counselor during the admissions process
- Internship opportunities for working with large multinational corporations, local banks, and nonprofits
School Wide
Program Level
88%OSR ScorePost has an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business Administration. The program includes 15 credits of international business courses and a final capstone course. They have a career-focused curriculum, aimed specifically at post-grad employment.
Florida International University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $4,721(in state) / $16,529(out of state)
- Online students are eligible to join and graduate through the Honors College
- Entry dates available for fall, spring, and summer
- Success coach assigned to every undergraduate in the program
School Wide
Program Level
88%OSR ScoreFIU offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration with an international business concentration. This is offered through their FIU online service, which includes services such as their Academy of Leaders to online students. Courses focus specifically on management and quantitative analysis.
Lynn University
20-Year ROI$759,396
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $35,260(in state) / $35,260(out of state)
- Entry dates available for fall, spring, and summer
- Tuition discounts available for early payment or multiple family members enrolled
- SAT/ACT scores not required for admission
School Wide
Program Level
87%OSR ScoreLynn offers an online Bachelor of Science degree in International Business Management. Graduates complete courses such as Global Operations Strategy and Global Marketing. Lynn emphasizes the use of iPads in both their in-person and online classrooms.
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
20-Year ROI$841,408
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $11,315(in state) / $11,315(out of state)
- Seven different courses focused specifically on International Business
- Students may transfer in up to 75% of their required credits for the degree
- CTU Fast Track allows students to earn credit for life experiences
School Wide
Program Level
87%OSR ScoreCTU offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-International Business program. It is a 180 credit program that is intended to take two years for students to complete. Their coursework focuses on management techniques and organizational dynamics.
University of Minnesota-Crookston
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $10,282(in state) / $10,282(out of state)
- Internships and applied learning opportunities available to online students
- Language and foreign experience requirements can be fulfilled by high school or college language classes
- Seven separate courses devoted specifically to international business
School Wide
Program Level
87%OSR ScoreThe University of Minnesota offers an online Bachelor of Science degree in International Business. Students are required to complete a total of 55 credits within the major program. Students finish the program with a senior seminar in business strategy. They offer online minors including marketing and management.
Davenport University
20-Year ROI$606,885
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $16,728(in state) / $16,728(out of state)
- Supplements academic learning with study abroad, language, and cultural classes and experiences
- Six different courses concerned specifically with International Business
- 20 more credits dedicated to business-related courses as compared to most other schools on the list
School Wide
Program Level
85%OSR ScoreDavenport offers a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in International Business. During the program, students complete either an internship or a study abroad experience and a final capstone course. They emphasize the importance of cultural knowledge for international business study.
Liberty University
20-Year ROI$718,609
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $15,734(in state) / $15,734(out of state)
- Allows up to 75% of credits to be transferred from outside of Liberty
- Free electronic textbooks provided for all undergraduate courses
- Offers credits for life experiences such as military service
School Wide
Program Level
82%OSR ScoreLiberty offers an online Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration- International Business. Liberty’s online service includes a virtual campus. The BSBA program takes an average of 3.5 years for students to complete. Liberty is a Christian University and requires certain religious core courses.
University of Houston-Downtown
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $4,996(in state) / $14,616(out of state)
- Ten different scholarships offered by the School of Business specifically
- International Business student association for networking and inter-cultural exchange
- Less than 5% of business programs worldwide are AACSB accredited
School Wide
Program Level
80%OSR ScoreThe University of Houston offers a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in International Business. Students are eligible to declare the International Business major after their second year. They are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – International.
Fort Hays State University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $3,900(in state) / $13,723(out of state)
- Electives in Cultural Geography and Managerial Economics
- Robins Banking Institute provides on-campus banking expertise and experience
- More than 40 departmental scholarships awarded for 2018-2019
School Wide
Program Level
79%OSR ScoreFort Hays has an online Bachelor of Business Administration Degree program, with a major option in International Business and Economics. The Fort Hays State Virtual College has been ranked highly for its veteran services and affordability. Courses are 16 weeks long during fall and spring, and there are also summer and winter sessions.
Linfield College-Online and Continuing Education
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $13,365(in state) / $13,365(out of state)
- Career planning assistance offered to all undergraduate students
- Students may create a portfolio of prior learning to earn as many as 31 semester credits
- Program has been VA approved for eligible veterans pursuing a degree
School Wide
Program Level
75%OSR ScoreLinfield College has an online International Business degree program. Students study a foreign language and complete a study abroad semester to build skills for entering the global marketplace. Linfield has personal advisors for all online students, who receive support through values of diversity, relationships, intentionality, vision, and ethics.
Johnson & Wales University-Online
20-Year ROI$769,776
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $13,365(in state) / $13,365(out of state)
- Students are intended to enter management positions as soon as they leave the program
- Cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity, and diversity training for entering the global marketplace
- Students are not required to have an associates degree to apply
School Wide
Program Level
74%OSR ScoreJWU offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in International Business. It is intended for students with full-time work experience in business. Their online programs include a Career Coach tool to help students research data on various industries.
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $7,178(in state) / $15,230(out of state)
- Geography, culture, and language included within the major electives
- Marking, Finance, and Management specializations available through restricted electives
- Internships are encouraged in the International Business Program
School Wide
Program Level
74%OSR ScoreMinnesota State University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business. Students in the program are required to complete 120 credits, which includes ethical core courses and cultural electives. Their online program also offers minors in subjects such as non-profit leadership and marketing.
Sierra Nevada College
20-Year ROI$826,586
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $31,685(in state) / $31,685(out of state)
- Eight courses focused specifically on international business, as well as a final capstone course
- Only 26 required general education credits, meaning a lot of flexibility and choice with student schedule
- Two separate capstone opportunities in Business Policy/Strategy and Business Administration
School Wide
Program Level
73%OSR ScoreSierra Nevada offers a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in Global Business Management. Their program emphasizes service through opportunities such as their South Africa Service Learning Travel course. The course helps teach students to learn by doing, with day-to-day and long-term strategies for international growth.
Schiller International University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $14,160(in state) / $14,160(out of state)
- Six courses specific to international business, as well as a final capstone course
- International campuses provide global connections for Schiller alumni
- Students are only required to attain elementary foreign language proficiency
School Wide
Program Level
72%OSR ScoreSchiller offers an online Bachelor of Science degree in International Business. Students are expected to graduate within four years. It is the only program run through a specifically international university, which includes connections in Germany, France, and Spain.
Northern State University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $7,191(in state) / $10,121(out of state)
- Political, cultural, and geographic studies courses to supplement business knowledge
- In-state tuition one of the lowest on the list
- 14 different scholarship opportunities offered by the school of business
School Wide
Program Level
68%OSR ScoreNorthern State has a Bachelor of Arts in International Business Studies program. This includes study abroad opportunities and a language requirement, which are intended to help students interact and succeed in multinational business operations. They also encourage student internships throughout the program to prepare students for post-graduation.
Lake Superior State University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $11,232(in state) / $11,232(out of state)
- Online courses are available during the fall, spring, and summer
- Lake Superior has a chapter of the Delta Mu Delta International Business Honor Society
- Six different courses dedicated specifically to international business
School Wide
Program Level
67%OSR ScoreLake Superior has an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program with an emphasis in international business. They emphasize the importance of creative problem-solving skills and entrepreneurship. Students from the program score in the top 25 percent of undergraduate business students for major field tests.
