International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at California State University-Fullerton

Median Earnings (1yr)

$45,419

32nd percentile

40th percentile in California

Median Debt

$21,589

8% below national median

Analysis

Cal State Fullerton's International Business program sits squarely in the middle tier of California offerings, ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—meaning roughly 60% of California programs deliver higher earnings. Starting salaries of $45,419 trail both the state median ($48,463) and national average ($49,890) by around $3,000-$4,500 annually. That gap persists even after four years, when graduates earn $49,269 compared to stronger performers like SF State ($58,560) or nearby Cal State San Marcos ($55,455).

The debt load of $21,589 is reasonable and slightly below California's median for this program, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48. For families prioritizing low risk over maximum earnings potential, that's a plus—especially at a school where 47% of students receive Pell grants and tuition remains affordable. The 9% earnings growth over four years suggests steady but unspectacular career progression.

The real question is whether accepting below-median earnings makes sense given the alternatives. If your child is admitted to SF State or Cal State San Marcos, those programs deliver $8,000-$10,000 more annually with similar debt profiles. Fullerton works best for students who need the 87% admission rate and can't access higher-performing options, but families should recognize they're choosing accessibility and affordability over stronger earning potential in a competitive field where graduates at top California programs earn 50% more.

Where California State University-Fullerton Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How California State University-Fullerton graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
California State University-Fullerton	$45,419	$49,269	+8%
University of San Diego	$48,463	$76,666	+58%
University of San Francisco	$57,780	$69,821	+21%
San Diego State University	$38,138	$67,271	+76%
Ashford University	$71,369	$61,843	-13%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (21 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
California State University-FullertonFullerton	$7,073	$45,419	$49,269	$21,589	0.48
Ashford UniversitySan Diego	$13,160	$71,369	$61,843	$27,195	0.38
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco	$7,424	$58,560	$58,508	$22,374	0.38
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco	$58,222	$57,780	$69,821	$25,000	0.43
California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos	$7,739	$55,455	—	$15,965	0.29
University of San DiegoSan Diego	$56,444	$48,463	$76,666	$19,197	0.40
National Median	—	$49,890	—	$23,472	0.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Business Operations Specialists, All Other

All business operations specialists not listed separately.

Business Continuity Planners

Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event.

Sustainability Specialists

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Online Merchants

Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.

Security Management Specialists

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California State University-Fullerton, approximately 47% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 72 graduates with reported earnings and 47 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.