Location: Allendale, MI•In-State Tuition: $14,628•Out-of-State Tuition: $20,820•Admission Rate: 95%•Avg SAT: 1079
Median Earnings (1yr)
$58,746
78th percentile
60th percentile in Michigan
Median Debt
$24,397
4% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.42 ManageableSample: 36 graduates

Analysis

Grand Valley State University's International Business program outperforms national expectations significantly, with first-year graduates earning $58,746—nearly $9,000 above the national median for this degree. That 78th percentile national ranking is particularly notable for a school with a 95% admission rate, suggesting strong regional employer relationships. The debt load of $24,397 translates to a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn more than twice what they owe.

Within Michigan, the picture is more competitive but still solid. The program matches the state median for earnings, landing at the 60th percentile among the 18 schools offering this degree in-state. Graduates see steady income progression, with earnings climbing 23% to $72,435 by year four. The program essentially ties with Wayne State ($59,350) for first-year outcomes while costing similar amounts in debt, making it a reasonable in-state alternative without the urban campus tradeoff.

For families concerned about ROI, this program clears the important hurdle: graduates can realistically pay down their debt while building careers. The combination of above-average starting salaries and consistent earnings growth suggests employers value the degree, even if it doesn't dramatically outpace other Michigan options.

Where Grand Valley State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally

Grand Valley State UniversityOther international business programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Grand Valley State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Grand Valley State University earns $59k — 78th percentile among international business bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Grand Valley State University$58,746$72,435+23%
George Washington University$70,856$101,930+44%
Georgetown University$81,800$101,821+24%
University of Wisconsin-Madison$66,591$94,010+41%
Wayne State University$59,350$72,684+22%

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (18 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale$14,628$58,746$72,435$24,3970.42
Wayne State UniversityDetroit$14,297$59,350$72,684$23,4720.40
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti$15,510$31,476—$25,3300.80
National Median—$49,890—$23,4720.47

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 Grand Valley State University, approximately 26% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 32 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.