International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Denver

Median Earnings (1yr)

$48,940

46th percentile

Median Debt

$21,742

7% below national median

Analysis

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.

Where University of Denver Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Denver 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 of Denver	$48,940	$64,023	+31%
George Washington University	$70,856	$101,930	+44%
Georgetown University	$81,800	$101,821	+24%
University of Wisconsin-Madison	$66,591	$94,010	+41%
University of Delaware	$57,941	$92,663	+60%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

International Business bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
University of DenverDenver	$59,340	$48,940	$64,023	$21,742	0.44
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

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 of Denver, 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.

Sample Size: Based on 33 graduates with reported earnings and 28 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.