International Relations and National Security Studies at Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna's highly selective environment—admitting just 11% of applicants with SAT scores averaging 1514—doesn't translate into clear economic advantage for this major based on available peer data. Similar International Relations programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $37,000, essentially matching the national median for this field. That's a sobering number when you consider what other International Relations programs produce: Stanford graduates earn more than double at $76,000, USC hits $52,000, and even University of San Diego reaches $51,000.

The estimated debt load of roughly $21,000 keeps the financial picture from being dire—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 is manageable compared to many liberal arts degrees. But the gap between CMC's admissions selectivity and these estimated outcomes raises questions. Students capable of getting into a school this competitive likely have options at institutions where International Relations graduates demonstrably earn significantly more. The 19% Pell grant rate suggests this school serves a predominantly affluent student body, which may explain why modest early earnings haven't prompted program changes.

If your child is set on international affairs and CMC specifically, understand that peer data suggests this won't be a quick financial payoff. The degree may open doors through the college's alumni network and prestige, but those advantages aren't showing up in the comparable earnings data—at least not in year one.