International Relations and National Security Studies at Franklin College

A $37,000 starting salary against $21,500 in debt creates a manageable ratio of 0.58—better than many liberal arts degrees—but comparable programs across Indiana suggest this field faces broader earning challenges. The state's other international relations programs report remarkably similar outcomes, with even flagship IU-Bloomington starting graduates around $36,000. This consistency suggests the field itself, not Franklin College specifically, faces a structural earnings ceiling in the early years.

The debt burden here, estimated from Franklin's typical borrowing patterns, aligns closely with both state and national medians for this major. That's the encouraging part. The concern is whether these earnings represent a launching pad or a plateau. International relations careers often require geographic mobility, graduate credentials, or security clearances to access higher-paying positions—investments that compound the financial picture beyond this initial snapshot.

For families evaluating Franklin's program without school-specific graduate data, the question becomes whether this particular campus offers distinct advantages—internship pipelines, faculty connections, specialized training—that justify the investment when peer programs produce similar outcomes. The debt load won't crush your child, but the earnings trajectory in this field demands either exceptional networking or additional credentials to reach middle-class stability quickly.