International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at Cleveland State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$57,396

Est. from OH median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from OH median (9 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs across Ohio, Cleveland State's International Business bachelor's likely positions graduates at around $57,400 in first-year earnings—modestly above the national median for this field. With estimated debt of $27,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 sits comfortably below the 1.0 threshold that signals repayment challenges. For context, Ohio State's International Business graduates report nearly identical first-year earnings, suggesting Cleveland State's more accessible admissions (95% acceptance rate) doesn't necessarily translate to weaker career outcomes in this field.

The debt load deserves attention, however. At $27,000, it exceeds the national median for International Business programs by about $3,500. Given Cleveland State's student profile—39% receive Pell grants—this additional borrowing burden matters more than it might elsewhere. Still, peer programs throughout Ohio show similar debt patterns, indicating this may reflect state-level factors rather than institutional inefficiency.

The practical takeaway: if your student can complete this degree near the estimated $27,000 debt figure, the earnings trajectory appears manageable. But since these numbers are drawn from similar programs rather than Cleveland State's specific outcomes, treat them as directional guidance. The real risk isn't the debt-to-earnings fundamentals—it's whether your student will finish the degree without accumulating substantially more debt than these estimates suggest.

Where Cleveland State University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (36 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Cleveland State UniversityCleveland	$12,613	$57,396*	—	$27,000*	—
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus	$12,859	$57,678*	$69,493	$27,000*	0.47
Ohio University-Eastern CampusSaint Clairsville	$6,178	$57,396*	—	$27,000*	0.47
Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusChillicothe	$6,178	$57,396*	—	$27,000*	0.47
Ohio University-Southern CampusIronton	$6,178	$57,396*	—	$27,000*	0.47
Ohio University-Lancaster CampusLancaster	$6,178	$57,396*	—	$27,000*	0.47
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 Cleveland State University, approximately 39% 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 12 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.