International Relations and National Security Studies at Creighton University

A $21,500 debt load for first-year earnings around $37,000 represents a manageable starting point—peer programs nationally suggest a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, which is workable if graduates secure steady employment. For context, International Relations and National Security Studies bachelor's programs nationally produce median first-year earnings of $37,198, meaning these estimates align with typical outcomes for the field rather than suggesting anything exceptional about Creighton's specific program.

The challenge isn't the debt level itself but what these earnings mean practically. At $37,000 annually, graduates are looking at roughly $3,100 per month before taxes, and standard repayment on $21,500 in loans runs about $240 monthly. That's feasible but leaves little cushion, particularly if job searching extends beyond graduation or if positions require unpaid internships or security clearances that delay full-time employment. The broader concern is that top-performing programs nationally only reach $45,000 in first-year earnings—this field doesn't typically offer rapid salary growth immediately after graduation.

Because these figures come from comparable programs rather than Creighton's actual graduates, you're making an investment decision with limited visibility into this specific program's track record. The numbers suggest the degree won't bury your child in debt, but the field itself tends toward modest early earnings regardless of where students attend. If your child is committed to national security or international affairs work, understanding the typical career path—often involving government positions, think tanks, or NGOs with structured but modest pay scales—matters more than the school's name.