International Business at Cornerstone University

Based on comparable International Business programs in Michigan, first-year earnings around $58,746 suggest this degree could command a solid starting salary—one that aligns with what Wayne State and Grand Valley State graduates actually report earning. With estimated debt near $25,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 falls comfortably within responsible borrowing territory, meaning your child would owe roughly five months of gross income.

The challenge with Cornerstone's program is the lack of graduate-specific data, which means we're working from statewide averages rather than knowing how this particular institution's alumni fare. Michigan's International Business programs show considerable variance—Eastern Michigan's graduates earn nearly half what Wayne State's do—so school reputation and employer networks matter significantly in this field. Cornerstone's 73% admission rate and relatively small program size (hence the suppressed data) suggest it may not have the same corporate recruiting pipelines as larger state universities.

If your child is drawn to Cornerstone's Christian mission or smaller class sizes, the estimated financial picture doesn't raise red flags. But given the uncertainty and the wide spread in outcomes across Michigan programs, you'll want to dig into specifics: which companies recruit on campus, what the internship placement looks like, and whether alumni work in actual international business roles or pivot elsewhere. The numbers suggest viability, but only if the school delivers the professional connections this career path requires.