International Relations and National Security Studies at Edgewood College

Based on comparable programs nationally, a bachelor's degree in International Relations and National Security Studies at Edgewood College leads to estimated first-year earnings of $37,198—right at the national median but trailing the $40,008 typical for Wisconsin programs. That $2,800 gap matters in a state where Marquette graduates start around $43,290, suggesting location advantages or curriculum differences that Edgewood may not match. The estimated $21,500 in debt produces a manageable ratio of 0.58, meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary, which is reasonable for a bachelor's degree.

The challenge is that International Relations programs nationally show wide variation in outcomes, with top performers earning $45,413 while many hover around Edgewood's estimated level. Without school-specific data—the graduate cohort here is too small for the DOE to report—you're weighing whether Edgewood's Madison location and smaller program size offer networking advantages or whether you'd be better served by a larger program with proven placement records. Similar programs suggest graduates enter entry-level government, nonprofit, or advocacy roles where earnings grow slowly in early years.

For families considering this investment, the debt load appears sustainable, but the estimated earnings lag behind Wisconsin's stronger programs. If your child is committed to this field, push Edgewood for concrete placement data: where do their graduates actually land, and do they connect students to internships in Madison's state government corridor? Those details matter more than these estimates can tell you.