International Relations and National Security Studies at Fairfield University

Fairfield's International Relations program starts strong, with first-year earnings of $49,239 putting graduates well above the national median of $37,198—a meaningful premium of 32%. That $27,000 in debt is also remarkably manageable, ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 suggests graduates can handle their loans without derailing other financial goals.

However, the 60th percentile ranking within Connecticut tells a more nuanced story. While Fairfield beats the state median of $47,391, it's not dominant—Connecticut College produces similar outcomes with slightly lower earnings of $45,543. This matters because Connecticut families are likely comparing in-state options, and the advantage here is modest rather than decisive. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) also means a few outlier careers could be skewing these numbers either direction.

For families comfortable with the moderate debt load and who value Fairfield's specific approach to international relations, the combination of strong national performance and reasonable borrowing makes this defensible. Just recognize you're paying for outcomes that are good but not exceptional within Connecticut's competitive landscape of IR programs.