International Business at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Baruch's International Business program offers compelling value, particularly considering the city's position as a global business hub. Starting salaries of $52,290 put graduates ahead of both the state median ($48,596) and national benchmark ($49,890), ranking in the 60th percentile among New York programs. More importantly, the median debt of just $9,644 is exceptional—barely a fifth of the typical burden for this degree nationally. That 0.18 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in just over two months of gross income, a virtually unmatched financial position among business programs.

The real story here is access. With 55% of students receiving Pell grants, Baruch delivers competitive outcomes for a population that often faces steep debt burdens elsewhere. Four-year earnings of $64,899 show solid progression and close the gap with higher-priced competitors like Pace, which produces just $61,228 despite likely charging far more. While Fordham's alumni do earn more, you'd need to weigh whether that $280 monthly difference justifies Fordham's significantly higher tuition and debt load.

For families watching costs, this program represents minimal financial risk with clear upside. The combination of low debt, above-average earnings, and strong growth trajectory in an expensive city makes this one of the safer bets in business education. The only graduates earning more are at Fordham, and they're paying dearly for that premium.