Analysis
Linfield's International Business bachelor's draws on national peer program data showing estimated first-year earnings around $50,000 against roughly $25,000 in debt—a manageable half-year earnings ratio that suggests reasonable financial footing. Among the 482 schools nationwide offering this degree, the median debt sits slightly lower at $23,500, putting this estimate on the higher end of typical borrowing but still within conventional affordability guidelines.
The challenge here is Oregon's limited landscape: only four schools offer this program statewide, and none report public outcomes data, making it impossible to gauge how Linfield specifically stacks up against local alternatives. What we know from similar programs nationally is that international business graduates typically start in the high $40,000s, with top performers reaching the mid-$50,000s. Whether Linfield's graduates land closer to the median or upper range depends entirely on factors the suppressed data can't reveal—employer relationships in the Portland area, internship pipelines, and alumni networks.
For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers don't raise red flags, but they also don't tell you what distinguishes Linfield's program in a state with minimal competition. Before committing, dig into placement outcomes the school tracks internally, ask about corporate partnerships with international firms or trade organizations, and compare the program's global study requirements against Oregon's other three options.
Where Linfield University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
International Business bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49,530 | $49,890* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $65,081 | $81,800* | $101,821 | $14,447* | 0.18 | |
| $63,141 | $80,848* | $91,133 | $25,729* | 0.32 | |
| $64,701 | $74,529* | $86,976 | $22,250* | 0.30 | |
| $13,160 | $71,369* | $61,843 | $27,195* | 0.38 | |
| $12,688 | $70,992* | $89,299 | $25,174* | 0.35 | |
| National Median | — | $49,890* | — | $23,472* | 0.47 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
Business Continuity Planners
Sustainability Specialists
Online Merchants
Security Management Specialists
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 Linfield University, approximately 28% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 103 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.