International Relations and National Security Studies at Dominican University

Dominican University's International Relations program mirrors the state median almost exactly—$37,938 in estimated first-year earnings and $21,375 in debt—which means comparable Illinois programs typically produce outcomes right at the national benchmark. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, manageable by federal standards, though it leaves limited financial breathing room in year one.

The gap between this tier and Northwestern's $58,326 is substantial, but the real comparison is among peer institutions. DePaul and Loyola, schools with similar missions in the Chicago area, show graduates earning in the low-to-mid $30,000s, suggesting this field simply doesn't generate strong early earnings regardless of where you study it in Illinois. International relations careers often require graduate degrees or security clearances that delay higher compensation, making that initial debt burden last longer than in fields with immediate earning potential.

For parents, the question is whether their student has a clear post-graduation plan that leverages this degree. If they're entering the job market directly rather than pursuing graduate school or government work, they'll be managing $21,000 in debt on what similar programs suggest is a $38,000 salary—tight but feasible if they're committed to the field and understand the long game this career path typically requires.