Online International Business Degree in Michigan: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)

Quick answer: Michigan employs about 85,860 general and operations managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through prospective employers on the skills they weight. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.

Compare international business programs enrolling now:

Licensing and Credentials in Michigan

International business is not licensed. Employers typically weight language ability, cross-border experience and the underlying business coursework over any certificate. Look for programs at schools holding accreditation from a recognized institutional accreditor.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with prospective employers on the skills they weight that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools within 70 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#3

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI 51.3 miles away BOC Score 60.7
Tuition $14,760 - $30,681
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 89.8%
  • Graduation rate: 60.4%
  • Programs offered: 36
  • Annual completions: 1553
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $61,298 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Madonna University

Livonia, MI 60.0 miles away BOC Score 60.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 59.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 20
  • Annual completions: 137
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $61,516 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

University of Michigan-Flint

Flint, MI 33.0 miles away BOC Score 58.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 42.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 227
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $65,600 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, MI 44.6 miles away BOC Score 56.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 50.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 186
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $63,454 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, MI 64.1 miles away BOC Score 56.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 61.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 70
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,010 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI 58.6 miles away BOC Score 50.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 45.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 39
  • Annual completions: 602
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,616 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Aquinas College

Grand Rapids, MI 65.8 miles away BOC Score 46.8
Tuition $40,218 - $51,652
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 89.9%
  • Graduation rate: 64.0%
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 29
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,578 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, MI 61.2 miles away BOC Score 44.6
Tuition $24,466 - $37,319
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 97.8%
  • Graduation rate: 53.2%
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 386
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $69,009 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What General and Operations Managers Earn in Michigan

General and Operations Managers in Michigan earn a median $99,530 per year, below the national median of $105,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

International Business Pay and Employment in Michigan at a Glance

MetricMichiganNationalSource
Median annual wage$99,530$105,770BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$49,380$50,090BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$65,000$72,320BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$155,330$167,280BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$222,810$253,390BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment85,8603,503,020BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient0.871.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state4.4%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Michigan Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Michigan median of $99,530 sits below the national median of $105,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 0.87 puts Michigan slightly below the national average, so the occupation is a little less common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Michigan

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Lansing$119,1404,470
Ann Arbor$106,0003,180
Detroit$104,01037,250
Grand Rapids$101,72010,880
Kalamazoo$100,1602,330
Midland$98,270620
Battle Creek$97,950920
Monroe$93,690730
Jackson$91,950970
Muskegon$86,2001,140

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. International business work clusters around ports, border trade corridors and metros with large import, export and logistics employers.

General and Operations Managers Wages by Metro Area in Michigan

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), general and operations managers wages in Michigan vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn37,250$104,010$133,060$51,910$259,390
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood10,880$101,720$124,180$51,640$219,060
Lansing-East Lansing4,470$119,140$129,610$50,030$215,050
Ann Arbor3,180$106,000$133,580$51,780$257,980
Flint2,360$83,020$109,060$44,220$192,510
Kalamazoo-Portage2,330$100,160$121,560$49,210$210,700
South Bend-Mishawaka2,070$104,500$131,560$51,780$239,040
Traverse City1,580$84,300$106,470$46,550$191,990
Saginaw1,480$81,950$107,960$41,540$202,940
Muskegon-Norton Shores1,140$86,200$109,190$45,590$203,790
Niles1,100$85,850$108,150$45,550$199,730
Jackson970$91,950$110,550$44,210$198,100
Battle Creek920$97,950$114,200$49,020$200,220
Monroe730$93,690$111,640$46,100$198,850
Bay City650$81,450$103,870$45,690$176,650
Midland620$98,270$122,260$48,200$220,490
Michigan City-La Porte580$95,370$116,990$52,640$211,760

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Michigan Metro Areas With Published Data

Ann Arbor * Battle Creek * Bay City * Detroit * Flint * Grand Rapids * Jackson * Kalamazoo * Lansing * Midland * Monroe * Muskegon * Niles * Saginaw * Traverse City


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do general and operations managers make in Michigan?

The median annual wage for general and operations managers in Michigan is $99,530, below the national median of $105,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $65,000 at the 25th percentile to $155,330 at the 75th.

How many general and operations managers work in Michigan?

Michigan holds about 85,860 operations manager jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 3,503,020, and BLS projects about 308,700 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a operations manager in Michigan?

International business is not licensed. Employers typically weight language ability, cross-border experience and the underlying business coursework over any certificate. Look for programs at schools holding accreditation from a recognized institutional accreditor. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with prospective employers on the skills they weight before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn an international business bachelor's or master's online while working in Michigan?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies prospective employers on the skills they weight.

What is the highest-paying area of Michigan for general and operations managers?

Among Michigan metro areas with published data, Lansing reports the highest median at $119,140 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Michigan a good state for general and operations managers?

On pay, the state median of $99,530 sits below the national $105,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.87 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.