International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at North Central College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$52,424

Est. from IL median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,000

Est. from national median (33 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across Illinois suggest International Business graduates earn around $52,400 in their first year—a figure that aligns closely with the state median and sits above the national benchmark of $49,890. With estimated debt near $25,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 falls into manageable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. Programs at nearby schools like Loyola and Illinois State report comparable earnings, which adds some confidence to these estimates.

The real question is trajectory. International Business can lead to diverse career paths—from logistics and trade compliance to global marketing—with very different earning potential. The $52,400 starting point leaves room for growth, but parents should recognize this field often rewards those who pair the degree with language skills, study abroad experience, or specialized knowledge in finance or supply chain. Without that differentiation, graduates may find themselves competing for generalist business roles where the "international" designation matters less.

For North Central specifically, the admissions profile (58% acceptance rate, 1165 SAT average) suggests a solid regional private college, but the lack of reported earnings data means you're betting on peer program outcomes rather than this school's actual track record. If your student is genuinely interested in global business and plans to maximize internships and language study, the estimated numbers suggest a reasonable foundation. If it's just "business with a twist," other concentrations might offer clearer value propositions.

Where North Central College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (16 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
North Central CollegeNaperville	$44,394	$52,424*	—	$25,000*	—
Loyola University ChicagoChicago	$51,716	$55,496*	—	$25,000*	0.45
Illinois State UniversityNormal	$16,021	$52,491*	$60,942	$19,059*	0.36
Bradley UniversityPeoria	$39,680	$52,357*	—	—*	—
Augustana CollegeRock Island	$49,834	$37,350*	—	$25,500*	0.68
National Median	—	$49,890*	—	$23,472*	0.47

* Estimated from similar programs

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 North Central College, approximately 25% 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 median of 4 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.