International Relations and National Security Studies at California State University Maritime Academy

Cal State Maritime's international relations program outperforms most California schools in this field, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $42,924—about $6,000 above the state median. While it can't compete with Stanford's $76,000 or USC's $52,000, it lands solidly ahead of programs at schools like Cal State Chico and beats the national median by nearly $6,000. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these outcomes.

The debt picture stands out as exceptionally favorable. At $26,000, graduates carry about $7,000 more than the California median, but still rank in just the 5th percentile nationally for debt—meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more borrowing. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 is manageable, translating to roughly one semester's salary to pay off loans. For context, Cal State Maritime admits nearly all applicants, so this isn't simply elite selectivity driving results.

For an affordable international relations degree that actually delivers competitive earnings, this program makes sense. Your child won't match the salary trajectory of Stanford graduates, but they'll earn more than most peers in this field without taking on crushing debt. That combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt creates a fundamentally sound value proposition.