Est. Earnings (1yr)
$55,473
Est. from PA median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from PA median (5 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable international business programs in Pennsylvania, Washington & Jefferson appears positioned in the middle tier—the estimated $55,473 first-year salary matches the state median but trails schools like Villanova ($74,529) and Duquesne ($60,748) by meaningful margins. The estimated $27,000 debt load sits right at Pennsylvania's typical level for this degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable at 0.49, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary.

What these peer-program estimates suggest is a financially workable path, though not an exceptional one. The figures align closely with both state and national norms for international business degrees, indicating this is neither a standout bargain nor a red flag. However, the $20,000+ gap between Washington & Jefferson's estimated outcomes and Pennsylvania's top-performing programs is worth noting—that difference compounds significantly over a career.

The practical challenge here is uncertainty: with no reported data specific to this school's graduates, you're essentially betting on outcomes extrapolated from similar programs across Pennsylvania. If your student has admission offers from schools with actual reported earnings—particularly those showing stronger outcomes in international business—those provide clearer pictures of what to expect. If Washington & Jefferson is the only option or offers something distinctive beyond the numbers, the estimated debt load isn't crushing, but the competitive disadvantage against Pennsylvania's stronger programs deserves serious consideration.

Where Washington & Jefferson College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (45 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington$28,185$55,473*—$27,000*—
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$74,529*$86,976$22,250*0.30
Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh$47,146$60,748*——*—
Dickinson CollegeCarlisle$63,475$60,553*$81,762$19,000*0.31
Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia$51,340$55,473*$78,112$27,000*0.49
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia$60,663$54,235*$86,072$28,667*0.53
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 Washington & Jefferson College, approximately 29% 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 7 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.