International/Global Studies at Colby College

Colby's International Studies program lands graduates at $42,756 in their first year—well above the national median of $32,819 for this major and matching the state benchmark. Combined with estimated debt of $24,162 based on national patterns for similar elite liberal arts colleges, this creates a manageable 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many bachelor's programs. The strong earnings trajectory, jumping 46% to $62,539 by year four, suggests graduates are finding professional paths that value their global perspective and liberal arts training, likely in consulting, nonprofit work, or graduate school-adjacent careers.

The caveat: with only three schools offering this major in Maine and debt figures estimated from peer institutions rather than actual Colby outcomes, these numbers represent educated guesses based on comparable elite programs nationwide. Colby's 7% acceptance rate and 1500 median SAT suggest a student body with strong credentials and networking advantages that may push actual outcomes higher than typical International Studies graduates elsewhere. The low 13% Pell enrollment also means these figures may reflect students with family support that reduces actual borrowing.

For families paying full freight or taking significant loans, the question is whether this particular major—versus other options at Colby—justifies the investment. The earnings are solid but not exceptional for such a selective school. If your student is genuinely passionate about global affairs and you can afford it without excessive borrowing, the trajectory looks reasonable. If maximizing early career earnings matters, other majors at this institution likely offer better returns.