International Relations and National Security Studies at Excelsior University

Based on peer programs across New York, Excelsior's International Relations and National Security Studies bachelor's degree appears to track close to state and national norms, with estimated first-year earnings around $36,800 and debt near $23,800. That 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within a manageable range—roughly seven months of gross income to repay what you borrowed. The challenge is that international relations careers often require graduate degrees or unpaid internships to reach higher-paying positions, meaning these initial earnings may represent just the starting line rather than the destination.

The wide gap between Excelsior's estimated outcomes and top NY programs like Fordham ($46,700) or Hamilton ($45,300) matters less than it might seem. Those schools draw different student populations and their graduates often pursue different career trajectories—think D.C. policy shops versus local government or corporate roles. What's more relevant is whether this program opens doors to meaningful work in the field, something that depends heavily on networking, internships, and career support that's harder to gauge from salary data alone.

For a quarter of students here receiving Pell grants, the relatively modest debt load offers some reassurance. But parents should verify what career services and internship pipelines this online program provides, since international relations success depends enormously on professional connections and early career positioning—areas where distance learning formats sometimes struggle to compete.