International Business at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,491/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (447,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #23 of 103 International Business programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to International Business graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $677K $658K $581K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.6x 10.3x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 5.9x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,084
Out-of-state: $112,344 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,984
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,119
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,951
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $52,491/yr, roughly in line with the $50,501 national median for International Business. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI International Business programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in International Business's typical career paths, with 51% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $52,491 far exceeding the $19,119 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #23 of 103 nationally, this is a top-5% International Business program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $78,951 show a 50% jump from the $52,491 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Illinois State University

Illinois State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 18,414 students in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois State University →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
General and operations managers $102,950/yr
Business teachers, postsecondary $97,270/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

International Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Illinois State University

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Business at Illinois State University?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for International Business nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace International Business careers?
With 51% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $581,202 in decade earnings vs $677,415 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Illinois State University's International Business program stand out?
Ranked #23 of 103 programs nationally, Illinois State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →