Analysis
North Dakota State's International Business bachelor's relies entirely on national benchmarks since the program hasn't produced enough graduates for the Department of Education to track outcomes. Based on the typical International Business graduate nationwide, you're looking at roughly $49,890 in first-year earnings against an estimated $21,500 in debt—a 0.43 ratio that's manageable by most standards. The caution here isn't the math; it's that these figures tell you nothing about NDSU specifically. With only four schools in North Dakota offering this degree, regional job markets and employer relationships matter enormously, and you simply don't have visibility into how this particular program performs.
What you do know is that NDSU admits nearly everyone who applies and serves a relatively affluent student body (just 19% receive Pell grants). The modest estimated debt suggests reasonable costs, but without actual graduate outcomes, you're betting on brand recognition and NDSU's business connections rather than demonstrated results. If your child is drawn to the global business track, ask the department directly about placement rates, internship pipelines, and where recent graduates landed jobs—that qualitative information becomes your due diligence when the quantitative data doesn't exist.
Where North Dakota State University-Main Campus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,857 | $49,890* | — | $21,500* | — | |
| $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 North Dakota State University-Main Campus, approximately 19% 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.