International Business at University of Denver

The University of Denver's International Business program outperforms Colorado's median for this major—though with only two schools offering it statewide, that comparison has limited meaning. More telling is the 31% earnings jump from $48,940 in year one to $64,023 by year four, suggesting graduates gain traction as they develop expertise and potentially leverage international opportunities. The debt load of $21,742 translates to a manageable 0.44 ratio against first-year earnings, below the concerning 1.0 threshold.

The caveat here is that first-year earnings sit just below the national median ($49,890), placing this program squarely in the middle of the pack nationally despite DU's strong academic profile (1344 average SAT). By year four, however, graduates appear to have caught up to or surpassed peers at other schools. The trajectory matters more than the starting point, especially since international business often requires time to build networks and specialization.

For families comfortable with modest initial earnings in exchange for solid growth potential, this program offers a reasonable path forward. The debt is contained, and the four-year earnings suggest graduates find their footing relatively quickly in what can be a competitive field.