International Relations and National Security Studies at George Mason University

George Mason's International Relations and National Security Studies program delivers something relatively rare in this field: earnings that actually exceed the national median by about 20%. At $44,644 in the first year—climbing to over $55,000 by year four—graduates are doing significantly better than their counterparts at most of the 399 schools offering this degree. The debt load of $23,000 is reasonable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 that suggests manageable monthly payments.

Within Virginia, the picture is more competitive but still solid. GMU graduates land right at the state median for this major, essentially tied with Virginia Tech and just behind programs at UVA and William & Mary. For a school with an 89% admission rate, matching the outcomes of more selective Virginia institutions is noteworthy. The 24% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are finding professional traction rather than stalling in entry-level positions.

The value proposition here is straightforward: if your child wants to study international relations, GMU offers a path to above-average outcomes without the pressure of highly selective admissions or burdensome debt. This isn't a program where you're paying for prestige and hoping the earnings materialize—the data shows graduates are actually launching careers. For families concerned about liberal arts majors leading nowhere, this program provides concrete evidence of labor market success.