International Business at George Washington University

George Washington's International Business program launches graduates into six-figure territory faster than almost any similar program in the country. With earnings jumping from $71K to $102K over four years, these graduates significantly outpace the national median of $50K—and the gap widens over time. That 44% earnings growth matters for a program where DC's cost of living is already high, but starting salaries are robust enough to manage the debt load comfortably.

The catch? Within DC's competitive international business landscape, GW sits in the middle of the pack. Georgetown's program produces even higher earners at $82K starting out, though GW's trajectory still outperforms the national 75th percentile by a wide margin. The $23,250 debt burden is essentially average for the field—neither a bargain nor concerning when weighed against first-year earnings (a healthy 0.33 ratio). For a selective school drawing primarily affluent students, this represents a relatively accessible debt level.

For families considering international business programs, GW delivers clear value: top-5% national outcomes with debt that's manageable from day one. The DC location provides direct access to international organizations, embassies, and multinational corporations that likely drive these strong outcomes. This is a program where the career acceleration justifies the investment, assuming your student is drawn to the capital's unique global business environment.