International Relations and National Security Studies at Brown University

Brown's International Relations program shows graduates earning $46,284 their first year and $82,229 by year four—a 78% jump that outpaces most peer programs nationally. While that starting salary trails typical Brown outcomes, the trajectory matters more here. Students are graduating with just $12,000 in debt, less than a quarter of first-year earnings and dramatically below the $21,634 national median for this field. That's among the lowest debt loads in the country for international relations programs.

The catch is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could swing considerably from year to year. The first-year earnings also lag what you'd expect from a school with a 5% admission rate and 1546 median SAT. Many IR graduates likely pursue graduate school, public service, or unpaid internships immediately after graduation—paths that delay but don't necessarily diminish long-term prospects. The 78% earnings growth suggests those early tradeoffs often pay off.

For families who can manage Brown's costs, the minimal debt load removes most of the downside risk. The credential and network from an elite school matter in foreign policy and national security careers. Just understand your child may not see Brown-level earnings right away, particularly if they take the fellowship-and-graduate-school route many IR students follow.