International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at University of San Diego

Median Earnings (1yr)

$48,463

44th percentile

60th percentile in California

Median Debt

$19,197

18% below national median

Analysis

University of San Diego's International Business program shows a trajectory that should interest parents willing to look past modest starting salaries. While graduates begin at $48,463—slightly below the national median and right at California's median—they reach $76,666 by year four, a 58% jump that outpaces typical career progression. That fourth-year number lands the program in California's 60th percentile, meaning it outperforms most in-state alternatives despite a middling start.

The $19,197 debt load works in this program's favor, coming in below both state and national medians. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—a manageable burden that becomes easier as earnings climb. The investment case hinges on patience: students must weather entry-level roles knowing stronger compensation lies ahead. This pattern makes sense for international business, where early career positions often involve rotational programs or junior analyst roles before moving into higher-paying global positions.

The gap between USD and California's top performers (Ashford and SF State graduates earn $70,000+ even in year one) reveals the program isn't elite-tier. But for families prioritizing reasonable debt and solid upward mobility over immediate returns, USD delivers a workable path. Just understand your graduate needs to stick with it through those early years to capture the program's real value.

Where University of San Diego Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of San Diego 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 San Diego	$48,463	$76,666	+58%
University of San Francisco	$57,780	$69,821	+21%
San Diego State University	$38,138	$67,271	+76%
Ashford University	$71,369	$61,843	-13%
San Francisco State University	$58,560	$58,508	-0%

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
University of San DiegoSan Diego	$56,444	$48,463	$76,666	$19,197	0.40
Ashford UniversitySan Diego	$13,160	$71,369	$61,843	$27,195	0.38
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco	$7,424	$58,560	$58,508	$22,374	0.38
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco	$58,222	$57,780	$69,821	$25,000	0.43
California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos	$7,739	$55,455	—	$15,965	0.29
California State University-FullertonFullerton	$7,073	$45,419	$49,269	$21,589	0.48
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 San Diego, approximately 19% 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 30 graduates with reported earnings and 33 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.