Location: Memphis, TN•In-State Tuition: $54,892•Admission Rate: 50%•Avg SAT: 1385
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$49,890
Est. from national median (103 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,000
Est. from national median (33 programs)

Analysis

Rhodes College's estimated outcomes for International Business graduates suggest a financial picture worth examining closely. Based on comparable programs nationally, first-year earnings around $49,890 with an estimated $25,000 in debt create a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50—meaning students could theoretically pay off their loans with half their first-year salary. That's workable math, particularly for a selective liberal arts college where the education extends beyond vocational training.

However, these figures come with significant uncertainty since they're drawn from peer institutions rather than Rhodes' actual graduate outcomes. The estimated earnings align with the national median for International Business programs but sit notably above Tennessee's median of $40,857, which raises questions about whether Rhodes graduates truly command that premium in the regional market where many might work. The University of Memphis, the only in-state program with reported data, shows graduates earning that lower Tennessee figure, suggesting the local business landscape may not support the national salary levels.

For families paying Rhodes' tuition, the core question is whether this specific program justifies its cost when the school can't demonstrate its graduates' actual employment outcomes. The debt estimate seems reasonable given Rhodes' private school context, but without confirmation that its International Business majors actually secure those higher earnings—particularly in Memphis and the surrounding region—you're making an investment based largely on institutional reputation rather than proven program results.

Where Rhodes College Stands

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

Rhodes College (estimated ±10%)Other international business programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (11 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Rhodes CollegeMemphis$54,892$49,890*—$25,000*—
University of MemphisMemphis$10,344$40,857*$55,177$21,500*0.53
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 Rhodes College, approximately 15% 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.