International Relations and National Security Studies at Hillsdale College

Hillsdale's selectivity and academic reputation don't translate to standout earnings in this field—at least not based on what peer programs typically produce. The estimated $35,802 first-year salary sits right at Michigan's median for international relations programs, though it trails the national median by about $1,400. That's not alarming for a liberal arts degree, but it's worth noting that even Michigan State's larger, less selective program reports first-year earnings of $38,810.

The estimated $21,500 debt load keeps the financial picture manageable, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 that suggests graduates from similar programs could typically handle repayment without excessive strain. This is slightly below the national median debt for this degree and significantly lower than Michigan's typical $24,766. For families paying Hillsdale's full cost of attendance (the school accepts no federal or state funding and reports zero Pell recipients), these estimates matter mainly as a benchmark for what the degree itself might command in the job market, separate from what parents invest upfront.

The reality is that international relations degrees—even from selective colleges—rarely produce high early earnings. If your child is passionate about this field and Hillsdale's distinctive curriculum appeals, the estimated debt burden won't be crushing. But if you're banking on the college's prestige to deliver outsized financial returns in this particular major, comparable programs suggest tempering those expectations.