Analysis
Is borrowing $25,000 for an international business degree worth it when first-year earnings hover right at California's median? Based on similar programs in the state, University of La Verne graduates can expect around $48,500 in their first year—squarely in the middle of what California's international business programs deliver. The debt load, estimated from peer institutions, creates a 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about half their first year's salary. That's manageable compared to many bachelor's programs, though California's state schools typically saddle students with less debt for similar outcomes.
What makes this picture more complex is the range of outcomes across California's international business landscape. Top performers like Ashford and San Francisco State push graduates into the mid-$50,000s to low-$70,000s in year one, suggesting the program you choose matters significantly. University of La Verne's moderately selective admissions and nearly half its students qualifying for Pell grants indicate it serves a different population than some higher-earning competitors, which may partly explain the earnings positioning.
The practical reality: you're looking at a middle-of-the-pack international business program where the estimated debt appears reasonable but the earnings trajectory remains uncertain. If your child has admission options at California State schools offering this major—which typically combine lower debt with comparable or better earnings—those warrant serious consideration as a hedge against these estimates proving optimistic.
Where University of La Verne Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (21 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,000 | $48,463* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $13,160 | $71,369* | $61,843 | $27,195* | 0.38 | |
| $7,424 | $58,560* | $58,508 | $22,374* | 0.38 | |
| $58,222 | $57,780* | $69,821 | $25,000* | 0.43 | |
| $7,739 | $55,455* | — | $15,965* | 0.29 | |
| $56,444 | $48,463* | $76,666 | $19,197* | 0.40 | |
| National Median | — | $49,890* | — | $23,472* | 0.47 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
Business Continuity Planners
Sustainability Specialists
Online Merchants
Security Management Specialists
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 La Verne, approximately 48% 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 9 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.