International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at Carnegie Mellon University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$55,473

Est. from PA median (7 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from PA median (5 programs)

Analysis

Carnegie Mellon commands attention for computer science and engineering, but International Business graduates from comparable Pennsylvania programs suggest more modest returns—around $55,000 in first-year earnings against an estimated $27,000 in debt. That puts the program roughly at the state median, well behind top performers like Villanova ($75,000) and Duquesne ($61,000), though ahead of the national benchmark by about $5,500.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 is manageable but unremarkable for a highly selective institution where 85% of students don't qualify for Pell grants. Similar programs across Pennsylvania show considerable variation in outcomes, and CMU's International Business track—based on peer program data—appears to land in the middle of that range rather than at the top where you might expect given the school's overall reputation and 11% admission rate.

If your child is dead-set on CMU for its campus culture or brand name, this estimated debt load won't sink them. But if International Business is the draw, recognize that peer programs suggest outcomes that don't command a premium over state alternatives. The real question is whether CMU's broader network and resources justify choosing this major here versus either a stronger business program at a comparable institution or leveraging CMU's strengths in its flagship disciplines.

Where Carnegie Mellon University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (45 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh	$63,829	$55,473*	—	$27,000*	—
Villanova UniversityVillanova	$64,701	$74,529*	$86,976	$22,250*	0.30
Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh	$47,146	$60,748*	—	—*	—
Dickinson CollegeCarlisle	$63,475	$60,553*	$81,762	$19,000*	0.31
Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia	$51,340	$55,473*	$78,112	$27,000*	0.49
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia	$60,663	$54,235*	$86,072	$28,667*	0.53
National Median	—	$49,890*	—	$23,472*	0.47

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Carnegie Mellon University, approximately 15% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.