International Relations and National Security Studies at DePaul University

DePaul's International Relations program starts graduates below both national and Illinois medians, but the trajectory tells a more optimistic story. That $35,792 first-year salary puts graduates in the 40th percentile among Illinois programs—trailing Northwestern significantly but comparable to other Chicago privates like Loyola. However, by year four, earnings jump 38% to nearly $50,000, suggesting graduates successfully transition into career-track positions after initial entry-level roles.

The debt picture is manageable at $21,250, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59—well within reasonable territory for a liberal arts degree. This is essentially median debt for the field, and the strong earnings growth means graduates should steadily improve their financial position after that challenging first year. For context, this is a field where even top performers like Northwestern see graduates earning in the $50-60k range, so expectations need to be calibrated accordingly.

The real consideration here is whether your student can weather that first year or two of lower earnings. International relations careers often require patience—internships, junior analyst roles, or nonprofit work before moving into better-paying positions. If your family can provide some financial cushion during that initial period, the four-year outlook becomes considerably more attractive. The 38% earnings jump suggests most graduates do find their footing, just not immediately after graduation.