International Relations and National Security Studies at Institute of World Politics

A location advantage appears to be at work here. While the Institute of World Politics operates with limited enrollment data, peer international relations programs in Washington, DC suggest first-year earnings around $50,600—substantially above the $37,200 national median for this field. That premium likely reflects DC's concentration of government agencies, think tanks, and international organizations where these graduates find work.

The estimated debt of $22,000 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. This compares favorably to the national median debt of roughly $21,600, especially given the higher DC earnings. Similar programs at Georgetown and George Washington report outcomes in the same range, suggesting the Institute's specialized focus on policy and intelligence studies positions graduates competitively despite being a smaller institution without the name recognition.

The caveat is uncertainty. These estimates derive from just three comparable DC programs, and actual outcomes could vary—particularly at a specialized school like this one. If your student is drawn to careers in national security or international policy and willing to work in or near the capital, the fundamentals look reasonable. But if they're unsure about committing to DC's high cost of living or government-adjacent careers, a more established program with transparent outcome data would reduce the guesswork about what you're paying for.