International Relations and National Security Studies at CUNY Hunter College

Hunter College's estimated $19,322 in debt for this bachelor's degree sits well below both the New York state median of $21,634 and the national average—a meaningful advantage given that first-year earnings for similar programs hover around $37,000. This puts graduates in a manageable position with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, meaning the typical debt load equals roughly half a year's salary.

The earnings picture, based on comparable New York programs, shows Hunter's graduates entering at the state median but trailing private institutions by $10,000 or more annually. Fordham grads earn $46,653 their first year, nearly 27% more than peers from similar CUNY programs. However, Hunter serves a predominantly working-class student body—55% receive Pell grants—and delivers this outcome at a public school price point. For families prioritizing affordability, that trade-off may be worthwhile, especially since international relations degrees rarely command premium salaries early in career regardless of institution.

The practical reality: your child would likely finish with debt they could reasonably manage on an entry-level salary in government, nonprofits, or related fields. But they shouldn't expect this degree to open doors to substantially higher earnings than peer programs across New York. If prestige and networking matter for their career goals, the private alternatives show measurably stronger outcomes—though at considerably higher cost.