International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at Rochester Institute of Technology

Est. Earnings (1yr)Estimated

$48,597

Est. from NY median (6 programs)

Est. Median DebtEstimated

$25,000

Est. from national median (33 programs)

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.

Analysis

Based on comparable programs across New York, this international business degree appears to deliver right at the state median—estimated first-year earnings of $48,597 with around $25,000 in debt. That puts graduates roughly $16,000 behind what Fordham's program produces, but about $11,000 ahead of Berkeley College. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 suggests manageable payments, though without actual RIT outcomes, it's difficult to know whether the school's co-op culture or employer connections might push graduates above or below this benchmark.

The real uncertainty here is whether RIT's specific strengths in career preparation translate into better outcomes than the state average suggests. Schools like Fordham and Pace demonstrate that location and network can make a substantial difference in international business—their graduates earn 30-40% more in year one. RIT's relatively selective admissions (71% acceptance rate, 1378 SAT average) suggest a strong student body, but international business isn't the technical field where the school's reputation typically commands a premium.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest modest but reasonable returns—less than a year's salary in debt for earnings close to $50,000. However, you're betting on RIT's career services and co-op program to deliver outcomes that match or exceed what similar New York programs produce. If your student is serious about international business and can access one of the stronger-performing programs in the state, that might be worth exploring first.

Where Rochester Institute of Technology Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (29 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester	$57,016	$48,597*	—	$25,000*	—
Fordham UniversityBronx	$61,992	$65,131*	—	$23,250*	0.36
Pace UniversityNew York	$51,424	$61,228*	$71,688	$25,000*	0.41
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew York	$7,464	$52,290*	$64,899	$9,644*	0.18
Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale	$8,576	$44,903*	—	—*	—
Berkeley College-New YorkNew York	$28,600	$37,437*	$50,489	$43,951*	1.17
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 Rochester Institute of Technology, approximately 26% 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 6 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.