International Business at Augustana College

At $37,350 in first-year earnings, Augustana's International Business program lags significantly behind both state and national benchmarks. The median Illinois graduate in this field earns $52,424—that's $15,000 more annually than Augustana grads. Even more concerning, this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs deliver better earnings outcomes. Nearby alternatives like Illinois State and Bradley both produce graduates earning over $52,000, suggesting this isn't simply a regional wage issue.

The $25,500 debt load is slightly above the state median and creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. While not catastrophic, this means graduates start with debt equivalent to 68% of their first year's salary—a meaningful burden when those earnings are already so far below market rate. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but they're still red flags worth taking seriously.

For parents considering this program, the math is challenging. Unless your child has compelling reasons to attend Augustana specifically, state universities like Illinois State offer substantially better career outcomes at comparable or lower cost. If Augustana is the choice for other reasons, having frank conversations about debt minimization and career planning becomes essential to offset the earnings gap.