International Business at Maine Maritime Academy

Maine Maritime Academy's International Business program commands some of the highest starting salaries in the field nationwide—$66,982 puts graduates in the 95th percentile nationally, well above the typical $49,890. The $27,000 median debt is remarkably low for these earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of just 0.40 that few programs can match. This is a legitimately strong financial outcome, particularly for a specialized institution that might fly under the radar compared to traditional business schools.

The caveat here is that earnings actually decline by year four to $63,763, which is unusual for business graduates who typically see steady increases early in their careers. This could reflect the maritime industry's unique compensation patterns or graduates transitioning between roles. Still, even the four-year number significantly outpaces the national median, and starting $17,000 ahead of typical International Business graduates creates meaningful financial flexibility early on.

For families comfortable with Maine Maritime's specialized focus and modest campus environment, the financial math works strongly in your favor. The combination of low debt and exceptional starting earnings means graduates can build wealth immediately rather than spending years catching up on loans. Just understand that career trajectory may look different here than at conventional business programs—which isn't necessarily worse, just different.