International Relations and National Security Studies at Angelo State University

Angelo State delivers something rare in international relations: graduates earning $53,246 within their first year—substantially outpacing Texas' median of $31,693 for this program and ranking in the 95th percentile both statewide and nationally. That's over $15,000 more than what graduates from Baylor, the next-best Texas program, typically earn. The debt picture looks equally strong at just $11,066, roughly half the state average.

The small sample size matters here—we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes carry more weight in these numbers. A few graduates landing federal security positions or military contracts could significantly skew the data. Still, the combination of low debt and exceptionally high earnings suggests Angelo State has carved out an effective niche, possibly through strong regional connections to military installations or federal agencies in West Texas.

For an anxious parent, the risk-reward calculation looks favorable if your child can replicate these outcomes. The debt load is manageable even in a worst-case scenario, and the program clearly provides access to opportunities that most Texas schools in this field don't match. Just recognize you're betting on a smaller track record than you'd find at larger programs—there's less certainty these results will hold year after year.