International Relations and National Security Studies at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern's International Relations program shows concerning early career outcomes, though the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers may not fully represent typical results. At $27,664 in first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $12,000 less than the Georgia median for this field and fall in just the 25th percentile statewide. Comparable programs at University of Georgia and University of North Georgia show significantly stronger starting salaries in the $39,000-43,000 range.

The debt picture is mixed: at $25,008, it's higher than both the state and national medians for this major, yet the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90 remains manageable compared to many programs. The 35% earnings growth to year four brings graduates closer to competitive levels, but they're still playing catch-up to peers who started stronger elsewhere in Georgia.

For an anxious parent, the question is whether your child can afford those difficult early years. If they have scholarships reducing that $25,000 debt burden or family support during the low-earning period, this could work. But if they're taking on full debt and need immediate income after graduation, consider that University of Georgia offers the same major with $12,000 higher starting pay—a meaningful difference when you're launching a career. The small sample size suggests treating these specific numbers cautiously, but the pattern of underperformance compared to other Georgia options is clear enough to warrant exploring alternatives.