International Relations and National Security Studies at Aquinas College

Can a credential in international relations from a small Michigan college launch a career that justifies the cost? The estimated numbers here—$35,800 in first-year earnings against $21,500 in debt—suggest a manageable financial picture, with graduates needing to dedicate about 60% of their first year's salary to debt repayment if they tackled it aggressively. That ratio falls within reasonable bounds, though it's worth noting these figures come from similar programs across Michigan and nationally rather than Aquinas's actual graduate outcomes.

The challenge lies in what those early earnings reveal about the field itself. Based on comparable programs in Michigan, international relations graduates typically start around $36,000—lower than many bachelor's degrees and reflective of a field where meaningful roles often require graduate education or years of credential-building in entry-level positions. Programs at larger Michigan schools like Michigan State show only modestly better outcomes at $38,800, suggesting this isn't primarily a school-size issue but rather a field where early career progression tends to be slow regardless of institution.

For families, the key question is whether your student has a clear path in mind—specific government agencies, NGOs, or graduate programs they're targeting—because this degree functions more as a foundation than a direct route to middle-class earnings. The debt load appears sustainable, but only if you're prepared for several years of modest income while building toward longer-term goals in foreign service, policy work, or related fields.