Analysis
Peer programs in international business nationwide suggest first-year earnings around $49,890, which translates to roughly $4,000 per month before taxes—a modest but reasonable start for a business graduate. When paired with an estimated $25,000 in debt (slightly above the national median for this major), the monthly payment would run about $280 on a standard 10-year plan. That's roughly 7% of gross income, which sits comfortably within the recommended 10% threshold and should be manageable even in Iowa's mid-sized job markets.
The challenge with Coe's program is the limited data: with no reported outcomes for this specific cohort and no comparable Iowa programs publishing their numbers, you're essentially betting on national patterns holding true for a small liberal arts college in Cedar Rapids. International business can vary widely in value depending on employer connections and internship pipelines—factors that matter enormously at smaller schools but don't show up in these estimates.
If your child is drawn to Coe's close-knit environment and the school can demonstrate strong placement relationships with multinational corporations or regional importers, the estimated debt burden won't sink them. But push the admissions office hard for concrete placement data: where do graduates actually land, and what do they earn? Without that clarity, you're making a $100,000 decision based on national averages that may or may not reflect this particular program's reality.
Where Coe College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
International Business bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $52,576 | $49,890* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $65,081 | $81,800* | $101,821 | $14,447* | 0.18 | |
| $63,141 | $80,848* | $91,133 | $25,729* | 0.32 | |
| $64,701 | $74,529* | $86,976 | $22,250* | 0.30 | |
| $13,160 | $71,369* | $61,843 | $27,195* | 0.38 | |
| $12,688 | $70,992* | $89,299 | $25,174* | 0.35 | |
| National Median | — | $49,890* | — | $23,472* | 0.47 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
Business Continuity Planners
Sustainability Specialists
Online Merchants
Security Management Specialists
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 Coe College, approximately 36% 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 national median of 103 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.