International Relations and National Security Studies at Goucher College

The numbers here should raise immediate concerns: Goucher's International Relations graduates earn $25,868 their first year out—about $13,000 less than the Maryland state median and roughly $11,000 below the national average. That's barely above poverty-line wages, especially troubling in a high-cost metro area like Baltimore. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift dramatically year to year, but being in the 10th percentile statewide isn't a statistical fluke you can ignore.

With $26,000 in debt generating a 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates face immediate financial strain. Compare this to Johns Hopkins down the road, where International Relations grads earn $44,004—nearly 70% more. Even Towson University, a public option, delivers median earnings of $39,208. The earnings gap suggests Goucher's program may lack the networking, internship pipelines, or career placement infrastructure that students need in competitive fields like diplomacy and national security.

The small cohort size is worth noting—perhaps this program serves a niche well, or maybe these outcomes reflect just a few graduates who pursued graduate school or public service positions with modest starting pay. But if your child plans to work immediately after graduation, the financial math is unforgiving. Unless there's significant family support or a clear path to well-paid opportunities that aren't captured in year-one data, this program represents a substantial financial gamble.