Median Earnings (1yr)
$54,681
66th percentile
60th percentile in Washington
Est. Median Debt
$21,500
Est. from national median (61 programs)

Analysis

International business programs in Washington typically require graduates to navigate one of the country's most competitive job markets, which makes North Seattle College's outcomes particularly interesting. First-year earnings of $54,681 place graduates well above both state and national benchmarks—about $6,000 more than the typical Washington program and nearly $5,000 above the national median. That's a meaningful premium that suggests North Seattle's location in a major metropolitan area with international trade connections is translating into tangible career advantages.

Based on comparable bachelor's programs nationally, debt is estimated around $21,500, which produces a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39. To put that in perspective, graduates would owe roughly five months of their first year's salary—a conservative burden that allows for both loan repayment and living expenses in Seattle's expensive housing market. The estimated debt also sits slightly below the state median for international business programs, though nearby Western Washington University shows that outcomes in this field vary considerably across institutions.

The practical takeaway: if these estimates hold true for North Seattle graduates specifically, this program appears to deliver strong value. The earnings advantage over peer programs is substantial enough to offset any debt uncertainty, and the location likely provides networking and internship access that matters in international business careers. Just recognize you're working with estimated debt figures rather than school-specific data when comparing options.

Where North Seattle College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How North Seattle College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (9 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
North Seattle CollegeSeattle$5,058$54,681$21,500*
Washington State UniversityPullman$12,997$48,292$69,214$16,659*0.34
Western Washington UniversityBellingham$9,286$38,412$60,844$22,250*0.58
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 Seattle College, approximately 14% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.