International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at Dickinson State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$49,890

Est. from national median (103 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$21,500

Est. from national median (61 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable International Business programs nationwide, this Dickinson State degree suggests a starting salary around $49,890 against roughly $21,500 in debt—a manageable 0.43 ratio that keeps monthly payments under 10% of gross income. That's actually below the national debt median for this field, which could reflect North Dakota's lower cost of living or Dickinson State's public school pricing advantage.

The challenge is gauging how this particular program compares to its peers. With only four International Business bachelor's programs in North Dakota and no reported outcomes data from any of them, it's difficult to know whether Dickinson State's curriculum, faculty connections, or employer relationships stack up regionally. The estimated $49,890 earnings figure represents the national midpoint—not particularly high given that three-quarters of similar programs nationally produce graduates earning $57,537 or more in their first year. International Business often relies heavily on location-specific factors like proximity to trade hubs, multinational corporations, or ports, which may limit opportunities in rural North Dakota compared to coastal or border states.

The debt load looks reasonable on paper, but your child should investigate actual job placement outcomes and where recent graduates landed positions. If most leave the state for opportunities, factor in relocation costs and whether that aligns with your family's expectations for staying regional.

Where Dickinson State University 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
Dickinson State UniversityDickinson	$9,118	$49,890*	—	$21,500*	—
Georgetown UniversityWashington	$65,081	$81,800*	$101,821	$14,447*	0.18
Northeastern UniversityBoston	$63,141	$80,848*	$91,133	$25,729*	0.32
Villanova UniversityVillanova	$64,701	$74,529*	$86,976	$22,250*	0.30
Ashford UniversitySan Diego	$13,160	$71,369*	$61,843	$27,195*	0.38
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia	$12,688	$70,992*	$89,299	$25,174*	0.35
National Median	—	$49,890*	—	$23,472*	0.47

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Business Operations Specialists, All Other

All business operations specialists not listed separately.

Business Continuity Planners

Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event.

Sustainability Specialists

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Online Merchants

Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.

Security Management Specialists

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

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 Dickinson State University, approximately 22% 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.