International Business at Bucknell University

Based on comparable International Business programs in Pennsylvania, Bucknell graduates likely earn around $55,000 in their first year—roughly in line with the state median but well below what peer institutions like Villanova ($75,000) and Duquesne ($61,000) report. With an estimated $27,000 in debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio sits at a manageable 0.49, meaning graduates would owe about half their first-year salary. That's better than many bachelor's programs nationally, but the earnings gap compared to top PA competitors is substantial enough to warrant attention.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from similar programs across Pennsylvania, not actual outcomes for Bucknell's International Business graduates specifically. Given Bucknell's selectivity (32% admission rate, 1389 average SAT) and relatively affluent student body (only 11% receive Pell grants), there's reason to think actual outcomes could exceed these state medians. However, the fact that other selective PA schools are reporting significantly higher figures suggests Bucknell's International Business program may not deliver the premium returns you'd expect from an institution of its caliber.

If your child is set on International Business and committed to Bucknell, the debt load appears reasonable relative to likely earnings. But if maximizing early-career earnings is a priority, the data suggests exploring either stronger-performing programs at comparable schools or considering whether Bucknell's broader network and reputation might better support a different major altogether.