International Relations and National Security Studies at Alverno College

Comparable international relations programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $37,200—a figure that falls well short of peer programs in Wisconsin, where the typical graduate earns closer to $40,000. With estimated debt of $21,500, this program sits at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, meaning the debt burden equals roughly seven months of first-year salary. That's manageable on paper, but the earnings gap matters: Alverno's students would need an extra $2,800 annually just to match the Wisconsin median, which compounds over time.

The lack of actual outcome data here reflects Alverno's small international relations cohorts, making direct comparisons difficult. What we can observe is that nearly half of Alverno's students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are already managing financial constraints. For these students especially, the estimated earnings trajectory—starting well below what Marquette graduates report ($43,300) and even trailing UW-Oshkosh—deserves scrutiny. International relations careers often require graduate degrees or unpaid internships to gain traction, which could further delay the payoff.

If your child is set on this field, understand that these estimates suggest a modest financial start. The debt load itself isn't alarming, but the earnings potential based on peer programs appears limited compared to other Wisconsin options. Request recent alumni outcomes directly from Alverno to supplement these national estimates before committing.