International Relations and National Security Studies at Carroll College

Carroll College's International Relations and National Security Studies bachelor's degree carries an estimated $21,500 in debt—roughly in line with what peers nationally report for this field—but the career trajectory suggested by comparable programs deserves scrutiny. At $37,198 in first-year earnings based on national medians, graduates would owe about 58 cents for every dollar earned, which sits in reasonable territory for a four-year degree. However, this field nationally shows considerable range, with top programs reaching $45,400, suggesting that where you study and what connections you build matter significantly.

The challenge for families is that Carroll is Montana's only option for this major, making direct state-level comparisons impossible. National data suggests International Relations graduates often need graduate school or specific security clearances to reach competitive salaries, meaning this $37,000 baseline could represent just the beginning of a longer credentialing path. For a small Montana college without the foreign service pipeline of D.C.-area schools or the defense contractor networks of larger state universities, career placement becomes the critical variable that data alone can't capture.

If your student is set on this field and wants to stay in Montana for undergrad, ask Carroll directly about alumni outcomes, grad school placement rates, and internship partnerships with federal agencies or NGOs. The debt load is manageable, but only if this degree opens the doors its name promises.