International Business (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$54,359

Est. from WI median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$21,500

Est. from national median (61 programs)

Analysis

Borrowing $21,500 to earn around $54,000 in your first year represents a manageable debt burden for an International Business degree, though UW-Milwaukee's program appears to occupy middle ground among Wisconsin's offerings. Similar programs across the state suggest starting salaries in this range, with actual four-year earnings reaching nearly $59,000—indicating steady but not dramatic early-career growth. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than half a year's salary, which is considerably better than many bachelor's programs.

The challenge lies in the limited visibility into this specific program's outcomes. While comparable International Business programs in Wisconsin and nationally point toward solid mid-$50,000s earnings, UW-Milwaukee's results could differ based on employer connections, internship opportunities, and the strength of its alumni network in global business. The gap between UW-Madison's $66,000 outcomes and this program's estimated $54,000 is substantial enough to warrant investigation into what drives that difference—whether it's primarily recruiting patterns, student preparation, or regional versus global employer access.

For families weighing this investment, the financial fundamentals look reasonable based on peer programs, but understanding UW-Milwaukee's specific placement record and employer relationships becomes critical. Ask the department directly about recent graduate outcomes, which companies recruit on campus, and whether students land international roles or primarily regional positions.

Where University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	—	$58,929	—
George Washington University	$70,856	$101,930	+44%
Georgetown University	$81,800	$101,821	+24%
University of Wisconsin-Madison	$66,591	$94,010	+41%
Marquette University	$59,255	$73,820	+25%

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (12 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee	$10,020	$54,359*	$58,929	$21,500*	—
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison	$11,205	$66,591*	$94,010	$14,000*	0.21
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee	$48,700	$59,255*	$73,820	$24,990*	0.42
University of Wisconsin-La CrosseLa Crosse	$9,651	$49,463*	—	$20,475*	0.41
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater	$8,250	$47,225*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$49,890*	—	$23,472*	0.47

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Wisconsin-Milwaukee, approximately 30% 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 4 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.