Analysis
Pennsylvania's international business programs show a significant earnings spread, from Villanova's $74,529 down to Drexel's $54,235. Based on comparable programs across the state, Widener appears to track near the middle of this range at an estimated $55,473—matching the state median and landing about $5,600 above the national benchmark.
The estimated $27,000 debt load translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, which suggests manageable first-year payments for most graduates. That's roughly $300 per month on a standard 10-year plan, consuming about 6% of gross monthly income—a workable number if those earnings estimates hold. The catch, of course, is that we're relying on peer program outcomes rather than Widener-specific data, introducing real uncertainty about whether this particular program delivers results in line with state averages.
The positioning matters here: Widener isn't competing with Villanova's outcomes, but it's also not dramatically cheaper on the debt side. For a program landing in the middle tier of Pennsylvania's international business landscape, you'd want confidence that career services, internship pipelines, and employer relationships can deliver those median-level outcomes. Given the 84% admission rate, the question is whether the program provides enough differentiation to justify the investment when less selective programs nearby may produce similar results at lower cost.
Where Widener University 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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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $53,638 | $55,473* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $64,701 | $74,529* | $86,976 | $22,250* | 0.30 | |
| $47,146 | $60,748* | — | —* | — | |
| $63,475 | $60,553* | $81,762 | $19,000* | 0.31 | |
| $51,340 | $55,473* | $78,112 | $27,000* | 0.49 | |
| $60,663 | $54,235* | $86,072 | $28,667* | 0.53 | |
| 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 Widener University, approximately 25% 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.