Analysis
Similar International Business programs in Washington suggest first-year earnings around $48,300, which lands right at the state median but trails behind what North Seattle College's graduates achieve by about $6,000. The estimated $25,000 in debt creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52—below the concerning 1.0 threshold and fairly typical for business programs. However, this debt estimate comes from national data across University of Puget Sound's programs rather than International Business specifically, so the actual burden could vary.
The challenge here is context: Puget Sound is a selective liberal arts college with strong academic credentials, yet comparable programs in Washington show a wide earnings range. North Seattle College's community college pathway produces notably higher outcomes, while Western Washington trails significantly lower at $38,400. Without specific data for Puget Sound's own International Business graduates, it's unclear whether the school's academic reputation translates into the higher end of that spectrum or simply matches the middle.
For parents considering this investment, the estimates suggest a financially viable program—debt payments would consume roughly 10-15% of gross income initially, which is workable. But given the $100,000+ total cost of attending Puget Sound, you'd want to verify these estimates with the career services office. Ask about actual job placement rates and starting salaries for recent International Business graduates before committing to a program where the published data is too limited to reflect its real-world performance.
Where University of Puget Sound Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Washington
International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $59,900 | $48,292* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $5,058 | $54,681* | — | —* | — | |
| $12,997 | $48,292* | $69,214 | $16,659* | 0.34 | |
| $9,286 | $38,412* | $60,844 | $22,250* | 0.58 | |
| 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 Puget Sound, approximately 17% 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 3 similar programs in WA. Actual outcomes may vary.