Est. Earnings (1yr)
$49,890
Est. from national median (103 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,000
Est. from national median (33 programs)

Analysis

Simpson College's International Business bachelor's degree costs an estimated $25,000 in debt—slightly above the national median for this field—while similar programs nationally produce median first-year earnings around $49,890. That 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in manageable territory, suggesting graduates could reasonably tackle their loans on an entry-level international business salary. However, these figures come from comparable programs elsewhere since Simpson's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes.

The lack of program-specific data matters here because Iowa has 12 schools offering International Business degrees, and outcomes can vary significantly based on factors like regional employer networks and alumni connections. Simpson's 89% admission rate and 33% Pell Grant population suggest a less selective environment than some peer institutions, which sometimes correlates with different career placement patterns. The school's 1410 average SAT score indicates solid academic preparation, but without knowing where Simpson's actual graduates land—or how many stick with international business careers—you're working with substantial uncertainty.

The estimated debt load is digestible if those earnings materialize, but you're essentially betting that Simpson's specific program will perform near the national average. Before committing, press the school for concrete placement data: where do graduates actually work, and what do they earn? If they can't provide specifics, that information gap becomes part of your risk calculation.

Where Simpson College 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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Simpson CollegeIndianola$46,212$49,890*—$25,000*—
Georgetown UniversityWashington$65,081$81,800*$101,821$14,447*0.18
Northeastern UniversityBoston$63,141$80,848*$91,133$25,729*0.32
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$74,529*$86,976$22,250*0.30
Ashford UniversitySan Diego$13,160$71,369*$61,843$27,195*0.38
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia$12,688$70,992*$89,299$25,174*0.35
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 Simpson College, approximately 33% 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.