International/Global Studies at Adrian College

Is a liberal arts degree in international studies worth nearly $25,000 in debt? Adrian College's program sits in complex territory. Based on comparable Michigan programs, graduates typically earn around $38,400 in their first year—matching the state median and notably above the $32,800 national benchmark. The estimated debt load of $24,162 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, which falls within manageable territory by conventional standards.

What's less certain is how Adrian's specific outcomes compare to Michigan's flagship programs. University of Michigan graduates in this field earn $44,400 annually, while Michigan State graduates also hit that $38,400 mark. Adrian's more accessible admissions (68% acceptance rate, 1030 average SAT) suggest a different student profile, but without actual earnings data from this particular program, it's unclear whether Adrian's outcomes mirror other mid-tier Michigan schools or fall short.

The practical question is whether the combination works: moderate debt paired with earnings that appear competitive within the state and well above the national norm for this major. If those estimates hold for Adrian specifically, you're looking at a debt burden that's roughly 60% of first-year salary—not trivial, but workable with careful budgeting. However, given that these are projections rather than Adrian's actual track record, you'd want to ask the school directly about graduate outcomes and job placement support before committing.