International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at University at Buffalo

Median Earnings (1yr)

$35,141

5th percentile

25th percentile in New York

Median Debt

$22,782

3% below national median

Analysis

UB's International Business program ranks among the lowest-earning in New York State and nationally, with graduates starting at just $35,141—nearly $14,000 below the state median and $15,000 below what similar programs typically deliver. While the 26% earnings growth to $44,224 by year four shows positive momentum, graduates are still earning less at that point than peers from CUNY Baruch ($52,290) make right out of the gate. The program lands in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile statewide, meaning roughly 95% of similar programs produce better initial outcomes.

The modest $22,782 debt load offers some consolation—it's manageable at 0.65 times first-year earnings. But this raises a critical question: why accept significantly lower earning potential when stronger programs like Farmingdale State ($44,903) or SUNY Baruch offer better starting salaries within the state system, likely at comparable cost? For an international business degree specifically, Buffalo's outcomes suggest either weak employer connections or curriculum that doesn't align with market demands.

If your child is set on UB for other reasons (campus fit, specific faculty, location), understand they'll likely need to be more aggressive about internships and networking to close the earnings gap. Otherwise, this is one case where the SUNY system offers demonstrably better alternatives for the same credential.

Where University at Buffalo Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University at Buffalo graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
University at Buffalo	$35,141	$44,224	+26%
George Washington University	$70,856	$101,930	+44%
Pace University	$61,228	$71,688	+17%
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College	$52,290	$64,899	+24%
Berkeley College-New York	$37,437	$50,489	+35%

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
University at BuffaloBuffalo	$10,782	$35,141	$44,224	$22,782	0.65
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

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 University at Buffalo, approximately 32% 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 41 graduates with reported earnings and 46 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.