International Business at Grand Valley State University

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.