Analysis
Borrowing $27,000 for a business degree that launches careers near $55,000 sounds reasonable on paper, but these estimates—drawn from other Pennsylvania international business programs—tell only part of the story. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 suggests manageable repayment, typically around $300 monthly on standard plans. However, when actual data exists from comparable PA programs, the range is striking: Villanova grads earn $74,500 while others cluster in the mid-$50,000s, showing how much school reputation and network matter in international business.
The challenge here is uncertainty. Without DeSales' actual graduate outcomes, you're relying on state medians that may not reflect this specific program's career services, internship pipelines, or employer relationships—crucial factors in business fields. The 79% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest DeSales serves a different student population than schools like Villanova or Dickinson, which could influence both job placement and starting salaries.
If your child is set on international business, you'll want concrete answers DeSales can't provide through federal data alone: Where do their recent grads actually work? What companies recruit on campus? What's the alumni network's strength in target industries? The estimated numbers suggest viability, but without verification from the school itself about placement rates and actual starting salaries, you're making a $27,000 bet on incomplete information.
Where DeSales University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (45 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44,800 | $55,473* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $64,701 | $74,529* | $86,976 | $22,250* | 0.30 | |
| $47,146 | $60,748* | — | —* | — | |
| $63,475 | $60,553* | $81,762 | $19,000* | 0.31 | |
| $51,340 | $55,473* | $78,112 | $27,000* | 0.49 | |
| $60,663 | $54,235* | $86,072 | $28,667* | 0.53 | |
| 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 DeSales University, approximately 23% 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 7 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.