International Relations and National Security Studies at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

The debt picture here looks manageable—an estimated $19,322 is actually lower than what similar programs carry in New York, where the typical debt load sits at $21,634. With first-year earnings pegged around $36,754 based on peer international relations programs in the state, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's generally considered reasonable territory for a bachelor's degree.

The challenge is that these are estimated figures drawn from comparable programs across New York, not actual outcomes from CUNY's specific cohort, which is too small for the Department of Education to report publicly. What we know is that New York's international relations programs cluster tightly around $36,000-$37,000 in first-year earnings at the median level, while top performers like Fordham push closer to $47,000. The question becomes whether CUNY's program—with its lower debt burden and likely lower overall cost of attendance—positions graduates competitively within that state range.

For families concerned about return on investment, the lower debt load works in your favor, but the earnings estimates suggest this credential won't command premium starting salaries in New York's competitive job market. If your student plans to pursue graduate school or government work (where international relations degrees often lead), keeping undergraduate debt down matters more than maximizing that first paycheck.