International Business at California State University-Fresno

Fresno State's International Business program graduates earn about $40,500 in their first year—roughly $8,000 below the California median and nearly $10,000 under the national average. Among the 21 California schools offering this degree, it ranks in just the 25th percentile. To put that in perspective, San Francisco State graduates in the same program start at $58,500, and even nearby Cal State San Marcos hits $55,500. The low debt load of $17,000 helps, but it doesn't fully offset the earnings gap.

The positive here is the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. That's manageable compared to many programs. However, this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with more data. The school's 96% admission rate and high Pell grant percentage (56%) suggest it serves students who might have fewer college options, which makes the earnings outcome even more critical to consider.

For families weighing this program, the low debt matters, but so does earning potential. If your child has other International Business options in California—particularly at San Francisco State or the Cal State San Marcos campus—those appear to offer substantially better starting salaries. If Fresno State is the only affordable option, the modest debt keeps it from being a financial disaster, but temper expectations about those first-year earnings.