International Relations and National Security Studies at Bradley University

Bradley's International Relations program sits squarely in the middle of what Illinois schools produce, with similar programs across the state suggesting first-year earnings around $37,900 and debt of roughly $21,400. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 falls below the concerning 1.0 threshold, meaning graduates would need to dedicate just over half their first-year income to pay off loans immediately—manageable but not exceptional.

The real question is trajectory. International relations careers often require graduate degrees or start slowly before accelerating with experience and security clearances. Programs at Northwestern command significantly higher starting salaries ($58,300), suggesting that school prestige matters in this field, though Bradley's outcomes appear comparable to larger Illinois schools like DePaul and actually exceed what Loyola graduates typically earn. At a 77% admission rate with solid SAT scores, Bradley represents accessible entry into this field without the premium price or competition of elite programs.

For parents weighing this investment: the estimated numbers suggest Bradley won't saddle your student with crushing debt for a humanities-adjacent degree, but neither will it deliver the immediate earnings boost that more selective programs provide. If your child plans on government work, graduate school, or careers where connections and internships matter as much as the diploma, Bradley could work—but understand you're buying into a longer-term payoff rather than strong first-year returns.