International Relations and National Security Studies at Boston University

Boston University charges premium prices for this international relations program, but the outcomes tell a surprisingly positive story. Graduates earn $45,870 their first year—well above the national median of $37,198 and matching the Massachusetts state median exactly. More importantly, earnings jump 33% by year four to nearly $61,000, suggesting graduates successfully navigate into careers where this degree matters. The $25,000 debt load sits above state norms but remains manageable with that first-year salary, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.55.

The state context reveals an interesting dynamic. While BU matches the Massachusetts median for first-year earnings (60th percentile), other elite options exist: Tufts graduates earn $54,000 initially, though that comes with BU's own prestige advantages and likely different career trajectories. What stands out is how BU's program performs relative to the national field—76th percentile nationally means it outearns three-quarters of similar programs across the country.

For a family evaluating a competitive international relations program at an 11% admit rate school, this represents solid value. Your child won't immediately match what Tufts delivers, but they'll substantially outpace national peers and see meaningful earnings growth. The debt is real but proportional, and strong performance in this field often requires exactly the kind of network and credential BU provides.