International Relations and National Security Studies at Eastern Michigan University

A $24,766 debt load for a bachelor's degree in International Relations appears manageable on paper, with first-year earnings from similar Michigan programs suggesting roughly $35,800—enough to keep debt below 70% of that initial salary. However, the field itself warrants closer scrutiny. Nationally, this major produces a median first-year salary of just $37,198, placing it among the lower-earning bachelor's degrees despite requiring four years of study. The programs with actual reported data in Michigan show significant variance, from Grand Valley's $28,202 to Michigan State's $38,810, suggesting that institutional prestige and geographic location matter considerably in this field.

The challenge with International Relations is the disconnect between the academic appeal of studying global affairs and the realities of entry-level opportunities. Many graduates find themselves competing for administrative positions, think tank internships, or government roles that often require graduate degrees or security clearances to advance meaningfully. Based on peer programs, you're looking at starting salaries that barely exceed what many two-year technical degrees produce, but with twice the time investment and greater opportunity cost.

For families considering this program at Eastern Michigan, the debt estimate appears reasonable, but the earnings trajectory is the real question mark. If your child is passionate about international affairs and has realistic expectations about needing graduate school or alternative career paths, the financial foundation here isn't catastrophic. But if the assumption is that this bachelor's degree alone opens doors to well-compensated policy work, the numbers from comparable programs suggest that's unlikely.