Professionals in the field of international business bring together the human and material resources necessary to achieve an organization’s international commerce goals. A career in this field typically involves global travel, crafting business plans, understanding various cultures and competitors, and adapting this knowledge to better sell the product or service your organization provides. This industry is vital for the continued growth of a global economy, and is forecasted to experience 8% growth through 2024.
Whether you are a working business professional seeking career advancement or a non-business professional looking to develop advanced business skills, completing an MBA in international business online can be a great way to move forward. Online courses are usually cheaper than a traditional degree plan and provide flexible academic schedules for busy learners. Students can even retain their current jobs and income while studying online during their free time. Skills learned during the course of an online master’s in international business program generally include risk evaluation, communication, and international awareness (including topics such as politics, trade regulations, and cultural sensitivities).
If you want to take part in this rapidly growing and lucrative field, finding the right online MBA in international business program is an important first step. Listed below are multiple accredited master’s programs ranked by factors including return on investment and tuition rate cost.
| Rank | School | Score | Toggle | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
National University |
Value Score 8.39 |
A private, nonprofit university with 28 locations in California and Nevada, NU offers an affordable online MBA - international business specialization with an option to travel to a foreign location to study in an immersive business environment. Coursework includes global business and strategic planning, comparative international management, and an international entrepreneurship project. With a simplified rolling admissions process and classes that start every month, students can enroll anytime, and distance learners pay in-state tuition. No GRE or GMAT scores are required from students with a GPA over 2.5. 63 quarter units are required, and all classes are delivered asynchronously. In some cases, there are in-person attendance requirements for group projects. Up to 13.5 credits of relevant graduate coursework may be accepted in transfer. Courses are delivered in an accelerated one-course-per-month format, allowing students to concentrate fully on one subject at a time. Most students complete the program within two years. Visit School Website |
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| 2 |
Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion |
Value Score 8.22 |
A private evangelical school affiliated with the Wesleyan church, IWU seeks students with a commitment to Christian values-based living, and features a unique and innovative online master's in international business. Its virtual master of business administration in international business uses VR technology similar to that used in Second Life. Students become trainees in a virtual manufacturing company, and learning assessments occur in real time, as they would in on the job training. Online students also have access to digital libraries. Students take one three-credit, nine-week course at a time, and all courses are delivered asynchronously. The program requires 36 credit hours and is completed over 25 months, culminating in a capstone project. The total cost of the program is determined prior to enrollment, so budget-conscious students can plan accordingly. Admission requires a 2.5 minimum GPA, and students can transfer a maximum of six credits of equivalent graduate coursework. Visit School Website |
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| 3 |
Gardner-Webb University |
Value Score 7.71 |
A private baptist college located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, GWU emphasizes the integration of Christian faith, compassion, character building, and scholarship. GWU's international MBA program promotes continuous personal and professional development of leadership skills that are valued in jobs for international business majors, with the objective of changing the way students think and work. The school offers an affordable international master of business administration delivered fully online and asynchronously through the Blackboard system. 36 credits are required -- 30 core curriculum credits, and six credits of electives -- and the program can be completed in two years by taking two courses per semester. GMAT scores and a minimum 2.5 GPA are required for admission, and the program features a rolling application deadline. With a low student-to-faculty ratio and a strong commitment to the school's values and heritage, GWU's respected and flexible online MBA program has much to offer. Visit School Website |
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| 4 |
Concordia University - Wisconsin |
Value Score 7.15 |
A private Christian school associated with the Lutheran Church, Concordia integrates religious values and education with a high academic standard. The school attracts a diverse student body, including 40% international students. Concordia's online MBA - international business offers interesting course options, including an opportunity to study abroad, and an industry leaders seminar series featuring both on-campus and online components. An online graduate certificate in international business is also available. Enrollees can start the program at any time. A 3.0 GPA is required for admission, and GRE or GMAT scores are not required. 39 credits are required: 24 credits of core coursework and 15 in international business, culminating in a capstone project. Accelerated coursework options are also available, and previous graduate coursework can be evaluated for possible transfer credit. Military personnel, veterans, and their families may be eligible for tuition assistance. Most students complete the program in two years. Visit School Website |
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| 5 |
Oklahoma Baptist University |
Value Score 6.83 |
OBU, a small private Christian school located in Shawnee, Oklahoma, emphasizes academic excellence while offering cheap online degree options. The school's MBA - international business places a strong focus on business ethics that can be taken completely online, or as a hybrid of online and campus-based coursework. The program includes a capstone project and an international business practicum opportunity to travel abroad (the cost of this immersive internship is included in the tuition). Applicants are admitted on a rolling basis, and no application fee is required. GRE or GMAT scores and a minimum GPA of 3.0 are required for admission; students with a GPA of at least 2.5 may be admitted conditionally. 36 credits are required, taken one class at a time, and most students complete the program in 18 months to two years. Visit School Website |
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| 6 |
Tiffin University |
Value Score 5.70 |
Focused on working professionals interested in acquiring the industry-relevant skills most highly valued by employers, TU in Tiffin, Ohio offers a master of business administration - international business concentration tailored toward preparation for international business jobs. Students set their own pace, taking one class or multiple classes at a time. Small class sizes, usually 10 to 15 students, foster an attentive instructional environment. The school admits applicants on a rolling deadline, with no application fees and no GRE or GMAT scores requirement, and transfer credits may be accepted. A minimum 3.0 GPA is generally required, but students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher may be accepted with at least five years of relevant work experience. The program is offered online in two seven-week terms per semester. Program start dates are flexible -- students may begin in January, March, May, July, August, or October. Average degree completion time for full-time students is one and a half years (or two and a half years for part-time students). Visit School Website |
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| 7 |
Southern New Hampshire University |
Value Score 5.38 |
The online international master of business administration at SNHU, a private institution in Manchester, NH, is a unique program focused directly on international business, rather than as a specialization within a general MBA. After completing the core curriculum, students can select either an electives track with three classes of their choice, or a concentrations track with a specific career-oriented focus. The concentrations track offers more than 20 specialties to prepare for a wide range of jobs in international business, including accounting, criminal justice, healthcare management, leadership, social media marketing, and sustainability. A graduate certificate in international business is also offered. SNHU admits applicants on a rolling deadline, and no GRE or GMAT scores are required. The school will make an admission decision within days of receiving a completed application. 39 credits are required, and the program can be completed in 18 months. There is a 25% tuition discount for active duty military and their spouses. Visit School Website |
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| 8 |
University of Scranton |
Value Score 4.94 |
A private Catholic school in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Scranton offers a completely online MBA - international business specialization with a particular focus on the Jesuit tradition. The school's curriculum is flexible, with a strong focus on globalization, ethics, and environmental sustainability. Students take the cornerstone and capstone courses, and then select at least four core courses and three to six electives. Course options include global health management, global marketing, and international accounting. All courses are delivered asynchronously. The selective admissions process requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, an informal interview with a program manager, and at least three years of professional or supervisory work experience. GMAT scores are not necessarily required, but completion of a case study on a topic provided by the program manager is part of the application process. Completion of 36 credit hours is required, and the program can be completed in two years. Visit School Website |
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| 9 |
Florida Institute of Technology |
Value Score 4.30 |
FIT is a private, independent, and research-focused school located in Melbourne, Florida. The school's MBA - international business online program is based on a collaborative education model rooted in a case method approach. Students create a business plan, develop critical thinking skills, learn to balance a budget, and use statistical data to conduct risk assessments. Interesting courses include cross-cultural management, organizational behavior, legal aspects of healthcare, and investment management. The 36-credit fully online program takes two years or less to complete, and its core curriculum requires six courses of eight weeks each, including two faculty-approved directed electives and a capstone course in global strategic business management. Four additional courses must be completed in the international business specialization. Applicants are admitted on a rolling deadline, and up to 12 credits of graduate coursework can be considered for transfer. Military veterans and their dependents are eligible for a 10% tuition discount. Visit School Website |
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| 10 |
Dallas Baptist University |
Value Score 4.30 |
Supported by an encouraging community, DBU's fully online MBA - international business concentration offers a baptist values-centered higher education with an emphasis on the integration of Christian principles and rigorous scholarship. The school makes dual degree options available, combining the MBA with global leadership, ministry, communication, or education. Completion of 36 credits is required for a single concentration (or 48 credits for a dual concentration). The school delivers all courses asynchronously, and two required courses have a field-based service learning requirement. With a single concentration, the program can be completed in two years. Admissions are rolling and selective; factors considered include personality and character, leadership potential, professional or military work experience, potential for service as a Christian professional, and GRE or GMAT scores. Students may petition for up to 12 hours of transfer graduate credit. Visit School Website |
What Will I Learn in My Online Master’s in International Business Program?
Sample Courses
Coursework in an online master’s in international business program combines traditional business skills with the cultural competencies needed to conduct global operations. Though each program is different, each online MBA in international business program explores subjects like leadership, management, and finance, with a global focus. Students learn about cross-cultural management techniques, eCommerce, supply and management, and business law through courses tailored to the international market. Like most MBAs, online master’s in international business programs typically culminate in a strategic management capstone project. Courses common to most MBA in international business online programs include:
- Cross-cultural management Students build advanced skills in a variety of concepts including self-awareness, ambiguity and uncertainty management, and intergroup conflict management. The course incorporates cross-cultural communication and international career development techniques.
- eCommerce strategy Coursework explores how eCommerce has expanded traditional business models to increase global sales and trade opportunities. Students research case studies and discuss methods of strategic business management specific to the internet and the digital marketplace.
- Global procurement and supply management Students are introduced to cost and price analysis, negotiations, contract management, and tools used to manage global sourcing, supplier relationships, and procurement and purchasing for international organizations.
- International banking and capital markets: Students learn about theoretical and practical issues affecting global capital markets. Topics include foreign exchange markets, equity and debt, investments, diversification, and capital market equilibrium.
- International business law Students learn to conduct business ethically and lawfully in foreign markets. The course explores legal aspects of trading and investing across national borders, foreign investing in the United States, customs laws and practices, fair trade practices, taxation, and currency and investment controls.
Concentrations
Online MBA in international business programs offer diverse concentrations to provide graduates with a broad range of career options. Concentrations incorporating global policy into traditional finance, trade, and management coursework prepare students for careers in executive positions within foreign corporations and organizations. An entrepreneurship concentration is ideal for students who aspire to carve their own path in business. Below are common concentrations in online MBA in international business programs.
- Entrepreneurship: This specialization is suited to students who plan to expand their business into the global market. Students gain a unique combination of business and interpersonal skills, along with the technological skills to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities online and abroad.
- International finance: This concentration focuses on foreign economies, international stock markets, and offshore accounting systems to prepare graduates for top-tier jobs at global agencies. Students learn how to operate international finance systems and how they relate to other systems.
- International trade: Ideal for international business students, this concentration explores importing and exporting processes and procedures, development, and investment opportunities specific to global businesses. Coursework emphasizes strategic management, logistics, and global business development.
- Interpreter: International business students specializing in interpreting gain a comprehensive understanding of cross-cultural business and learn to facilitate highly expressive communication between executives and business associates.
- Global management: The global management concentration emphasizes strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, while teaching students to implement advanced cross-cultural management techniques. Graduates become effective leaders of global business and human resources efforts.
Employment Outlook for Master’s in International Business Graduates
Master’s in International Business Careers
Graduates with a master’s in international business are eligible for high-level executive management positions in most companies and corporations worldwide. While an advanced degree is not often required for jobs in finance, accounting, public relations, or human resources, employers at large institutions and global corporations prefer candidates with an MBA and years of experience in the field. Entry-level economists should have a master’s degree and extensive experience, as they must be qualified to perform advanced scholarly research and may handle sensitive information. Though not required for all international business jobs, some employers prefer candidates with the CGBP credential.
Licensure and Certification
There are hundreds of business and management certifications available, including those for specific concentrations. While employers do not often require international business executives to be licensed or certified, some credentials make qualified professionals even more desirable in the global workforce, such as the Certified International Project Manager, Certified International Investment Analyst, and Certified International Trade Professional credentials. The Certified Global Business Professional is the most common general certification for international executives. Candidates must have completed at least two years of college-level study or have two years of experience in international business. They must also pass a four-part exam in global business management, global marketing, supply chain management, and trade finance.
Job Placement
A master’s degree is not required for all jobs in international business, but many employers prefer to hire candidates with an MBA for top jobs in management, finance, public relations, and human resources. A master’s degree provides high-level executives, financial managers, economists, and other international business professionals broader job prospects and greater income potential. A recent study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce found business to be the most popular major among college students, accounting for 25% of all student majors. International business majors, specifically, enjoy a 92% employment rate after graduation. Graduates with an online MBA in international business earn salaries 51% higher than their undergraduate counterparts.
Master’s in International Business Salary
Jobs for international business majors exist in nearly every sector of the workforce. Like career options in the field, entry-level requirements vary widely. Graduates with an online master’s in international business earn significantly higher salaries than undergraduate degree holders. As the table below demonstrates, CEOs and other top executives are among the highest-earning positions, followed by economists. International business professionals increase their earning potential over the course of their careers.
| Job Title | Overall Median Salary | Median Salary for Entry-Level Employees (0-5 years) | Median Salary for Mid-Career Employees (5-10 years) | Median Salary for Late-Career Employees (20+ years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | $162,902 | $120,000 | $154,000 | $229,000 |
| Financial Manager | $70,976 | $56,000 | $68,000 | $72,000 |
| Economist | $71,357 | $63,000 | $89,000 | $119,000 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $45,705 | $42,000 | $53,000 | $60,000 |
| Human Resources manager | $64,700 | $53,000 | $65,000 | $73,000 |
Do I Need to Take the GRE/GMAT to Enroll in an Online Master’s in International Business Program?
Both the GRE and GMAT are accepted for master’s degree programs at most accredited universities. Applicants are typically required to submit one or the other, but many students don’t know which test is right for them. Though the GMAT is often regarded as a more challenging exam, it is generally used exclusively for business school admissions, while other graduate programs accept the GRE.
Though similar, the two exams test different skills. The GMAT evaluates a targeted set of analytical, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal skills. The GRE evaluates analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills and includes an experimental section that covers either math or verbal competencies.
Some schools prefer one test over the other, and while the GRE is acceptable for business graduate programs, many business schools offer select scholarships and opportunities to students with high GMAT scores.
Accreditation for Online Master’s in International Business Degrees
Accreditation should be a key attribute of any college or university you are considering for a master’s in international business. Look for a school that is accredited by a national or regional agency. Though regional accreditation is more common and more highly regarded, transfer students may consider a nationally accredited institution, which typically accept credits from nationally or regionally accredited institutions, while regionally accredited schools only honor credits from other regionally accredited institutions. Additionally, MBA in international business online programs may be accredited by agencies such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. Check your school’s accreditation on the Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation websites.
Financing Your Online Master’s in International Business Program
When applying for financial aid for your online MBA in international business degree, begin by completing the Free Application for Federal Aid, or FAFSA, to determine your eligibility for scholarships, loans, grants, and work-study positions. As a popular college major with broad career applications, many international business scholarships are available, especially for women and minorities. Some employers offer paid work opportunities or employee-reimbursement programs for aspiring graduate students. Below are a few of the many scholarships available to international business students.
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