International Business at Dordt University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50—meaning half a year's salary to pay off student loans—suggests this program falls in the manageable range, at least based on what peer international business programs typically produce. Similar bachelor's programs nationally report first-year earnings around $49,900, with debt loads near $23,500. Dordt's estimated $25,000 in borrowing sits close to these national figures, though without program-specific data, it's difficult to know whether this particular school's graduates fare better or worse than the typical outcome.

The real question is what happens after year one. International business can lead to roles with strong advancement potential—trade specialists, global supply chain analysts, multinational corporate positions—but it can also channel graduates into generic business roles where the "international" credential adds limited value. The difference matters significantly for long-term earnings growth and return on investment. Dordt's smaller size and 18% Pell Grant population suggest a tight-knit environment, which could mean strong career networks or limited corporate recruiting presence depending on the program's connections.

Given the uncertainty around these estimates, your best move is to press Dordt's career services office for concrete placement data: where recent international business graduates actually work, what they earn, and which companies recruit on campus. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value, but confirmation from the school itself—specific job titles, employers, and salaries—would tell you whether this program delivers on that promise or simply resembles its national peers in name only.