International Business at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
64
Optimistic
63
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,412/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (447,200 openings/yr)
ROI 16.3x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #56 of 103 International Business programs

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 $618K $605K $543K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.6x 16.3x 14.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.4x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 63 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,144
Out-of-state: $111,412 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,720
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,166
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,149
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Washington University's International Business graduates start at $38,412/yr, trailing the $50,501 national average by 24%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 16.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 51% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,166 debt-to-$38,412 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #56 out of 103 programs, Western Washington University's financial outcomes for International Business trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $38,412 to $65,149 over five years (70% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Western Washington University

A 91% acceptance rate means Western Washington University is accessible to most applicants, serving 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington 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 Western Washington University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Western Washington University's International Business program score?
A score of 63/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Western Washington University trails the majority of International Business programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is International Business to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' International Business careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 51% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are International Business earnings lower at Western Washington University?
Lower starting pay at Western Washington University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →