International Relations and National Security Studies at High Point University

A debt load of $21,500 against first-year earnings around $37,000—both figures drawn from national peer programs—puts this international relations degree in manageable territory, though not exactly a financial home run. The monthly payment on that debt would consume roughly 6-7% of gross income, which falls within the sustainable range that financial advisors typically recommend. That's the good news for a field that's notoriously tough to break into with just a bachelor's degree.

The challenge lies in what comes next. International relations careers often require graduate school for meaningful advancement, and those first-year earnings based on similar programs nationwide suggest you're looking at entry-level government, nonprofit, or think tank positions where passion counts more than paychecks. High Point's 11% Pell population and selective admission profile indicate a student body with financial resources, which matters in a field where unpaid internships and low-paying initial positions are common pathways. If your child will need to immediately support themselves without family backup, that $37,000 starting point becomes tighter than it appears.

The core question is whether your family can afford the likely next step. If this bachelor's degree is a launching pad toward graduate school in international affairs, security studies, or law—which it often needs to be for career traction—factor in 2-3 more years of education costs. The estimated debt here is reasonable as a standalone figure, but less appealing as the first installment in a longer academic investment.