International Business at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan's International Business program shows earnings that should concern any parent: graduates earn just $31,476 one year out—barely above $30,000—placing this in the bottom 10% of similar programs in Michigan. Compare that to Grand Valley State graduates who earn nearly double at $58,746, or even the national median of $49,890. Your child would be starting $27,000 behind their peers from other Michigan programs, a gap that compounds significantly over a career.

The debt load of $25,330 is relatively manageable in isolation, but paired with these earnings it creates an uncomfortable first-year ratio where debt equals 80% of annual salary. That's higher than ideal and reflects the core issue: this program isn't launching graduates into competitive international business roles that justify the degree investment. Whether it's career services, curriculum, or employer connections, something isn't working to position students for strong outcomes.

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so it could shift dramatically with a larger sample. However, even accounting for statistical noise, the gap between Eastern Michigan and other state programs is too large to ignore. If international business is the goal, other Michigan universities demonstrate far better track records of placing graduates into well-paying roles. Unless there's a compelling reason specific to Eastern Michigan, this program represents a risky bet compared to readily available alternatives.