Median Earnings (1yr)
$38,801
13th percentile
60th percentile in Kansas
Median Debt
$17,399
26% below national median

Analysis

Wichita State's International Business program initially places graduates well below the national median at $38,801—landing in just the 13th percentile nationally. However, the story gets more interesting when you look at Kansas specifically: this program sits at the 60th percentile among in-state options, and graduates carry notably less debt ($17,399 versus $23,472 nationally). The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, but the current data shows a program that delivers average value for Kansas while falling short of what top international business programs produce nationally.

The dramatic 63% earnings jump by year four brings median pay to $63,327, which actually surpasses the national benchmark. This suggests graduates may start in entry-level positions but advance relatively quickly, which is common in international business careers that require time to build specialized experience and networks. The debt load remains manageable throughout, with a first-year ratio of 0.45 that improves substantially as earnings climb.

For Kansas families prioritizing affordability, this program offers decent value—especially if your child plans to stay in-state where the credentials appear competitive. But if they're aiming for opportunities in major international business hubs or comparing against stronger national programs, understand they'll likely start behind peers from higher-ranked schools. The small cohort size is a legitimate concern for data reliability, so verify current placement outcomes directly with the university before committing.

Where Wichita State University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Wichita State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Wichita State University$38,801$63,327+63%
George Washington University$70,856$101,930+44%
Georgetown University$81,800$101,821+24%
University of Wisconsin-Madison$66,591$94,010+41%
University of Delaware$57,941$92,663+60%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

International Business bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Wichita State UniversityWichita$9,322$38,801$63,327$17,3990.45
Georgetown UniversityWashington$65,081$81,800$101,821$14,4470.18
Northeastern UniversityBoston$63,141$80,848$91,133$25,7290.32
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$74,529$86,976$22,2500.30
Ashford UniversitySan Diego$13,160$71,369$61,843$27,1950.38
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia$12,688$70,992$89,299$25,1740.35
National Median$49,890$23,4720.47

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 Wichita State University, 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.

Sample Size: Based on 16 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.