International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at Central Michigan University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$58,746

Est. from MI median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$24,397

Est. from MI median (3 programs)

Analysis

Similar International Business programs in Michigan suggest first-year earnings around $59,000—a figure that aligns closely with what graduates from Wayne State and Grand Valley State report. With estimated debt of $24,400, Central Michigan's program appears positioned near the middle of Michigan's offerings, though the limited data makes direct comparisons challenging.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 falls within manageable territory, meaning graduates would theoretically owe less than half their first-year salary. This compares favorably to the national landscape, where median earnings for International Business bachelor's degrees hover around $50,000. Michigan programs generally outperform that benchmark, and Central Michigan seems to track with its state peers rather than dragging behind them.

The real question is whether these peer-based estimates reflect what actually happens for Central Michigan graduates specifically. The school's high admission rate and modest SAT scores don't automatically predict lower earnings—business skills often translate across institutions—but the suppressed data leaves parents flying somewhat blind. If your child is set on International Business and prefers Central Michigan's campus or cost structure, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable prospects. Just recognize you're betting on the program performing like its Michigan counterparts rather than relying on this school's proven track record.

Where Central Michigan University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (18 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant	$14,190	$58,746*	—	$24,397*	—
Wayne State UniversityDetroit	$14,297	$59,350*	$72,684	$23,472*	0.40
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale	$14,628	$58,746*	$72,435	$24,397*	0.42
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti	$15,510	$31,476*	—	$25,330*	0.80
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 Central Michigan University, approximately 31% 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 3 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.