International Business at College of Charleston

College of Charleston's International Business program starts graduates at a concerning $37,624—ranking in just the 10th percentile among South Carolina programs and well below both the state median ($54,308) and national median ($49,890). To put that in perspective, USC-Columbia's international business graduates earn nearly double right out of the gate. The $22,500 debt load is reasonable, but when you're earning $15,000 less than peers at other SC schools, that becomes harder to manage.

The dramatic turnaround comes by year four, when earnings jump 80% to $67,678. This suggests the degree may provide valuable long-term credentials or network access in international business circles, even if employers don't initially value it highly. However, parents should understand this means their child will likely spend those crucial first few years in lower-paying roles—perhaps assistant positions or training programs—while classmates from other programs are already building wealth.

For a family considering this program, the question is whether your child can afford three years of below-market earnings while waiting for that payoff. If they need to service debt, cover rent in Charleston, and start saving, those lean early years matter. The eventual salary is solid, but stronger SC programs offer both better starting salaries and comparable growth, without the financial stress of that initial earnings gap.