International Relations and National Security Studies at Allegheny College

Allegheny's International Relations program produces first-year earnings of just $24,303—less than half Pennsylvania's $49,032 median for this field and $13,000 below the already-modest national benchmark. That 10th percentile state ranking places it near the bottom of 32 Pennsylvania programs, with graduates earning roughly a third of what peers at Bucknell or Penn make. The $27,000 debt load pushes the debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0, meaning graduates owe more than they'll earn in their entire first year.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) should temper these conclusions somewhat—a few outliers working for nonprofits or pursuing graduate school could skew the data dramatically. However, even accounting for statistical noise, the gap between Allegheny's outcomes and both state and national norms is substantial enough to warrant serious concern.

For families considering this program, the mathematics are challenging: first-year earnings barely cover basic living expenses in most markets, let alone student loan payments. Unless your child has specific graduate school plans where Allegheny's liberal arts foundation provides distinct advantages, or you can minimize debt through significant financial aid, other Pennsylvania options—even state universities with lower sticker prices—likely offer better returns in this field.