International Business at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
74
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,350/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (447,200 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 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 $679K $659K $582K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.5x 10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.4x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 74 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,434
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $59,350 at Wayne State University come in 18% above the national median of $50,501 for International Business programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.5x 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 $59,350 far exceeding the $18,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #12 of 103 nationally, this is a top-5% International Business program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $59,350 to $81,434 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Wayne State University

Wayne State University accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 15,676 students in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne 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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Business at Wayne State University?
This program scores 74/100 — 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 $581,913 in decade earnings vs $678,512 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Wayne State University's International Business program stand out?
Ranked #12 of 103 programs nationally, Wayne 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 →