International Relations and National Security Studies at Carleton College

A debt load of $21,500 for a bachelor's degree sounds manageable until you consider what similar International Relations programs typically deliver: first-year earnings around $37,000. That puts debt at more than half your initial salary—a ratio that means loan payments will feel significant even with Carleton's strong academic reputation behind you.

The challenge here isn't unique to Carleton—it's baked into the field itself. Looking at comparable programs nationally, IR graduates frequently start in nonprofit, government, or public policy roles where mission-driven work doesn't translate to high starting pay. In Minnesota specifically, similar programs show even lower starting points near $29,000, though many Carleton graduates migrate to Washington, D.C. or other major metros where these figures may improve. Still, peer programs at the 75th percentile nationally only reach $45,000, suggesting the field's salary ceiling stays relatively low in early career years.

What you're really paying for at Carleton is the broader liberal arts network and credential strength that might open doors beyond typical entry-level IR positions. But if your child is committed to direct-to-field work in international affairs or security studies, understand that the financial payoff will likely be gradual. This degree may require either supplementing with graduate credentials later or leveraging Carleton's alumni connections to access the higher end of what these programs typically produce.