International Relations and National Security Studies at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's international relations graduates start below most Georgia peers but experience the kind of earnings trajectory that makes the initial sacrifice worthwhile. That $34,343 first-year figure trails the state median by $5,000, but four years out, graduates are earning $47,459—outpacing not just the national median but also programs at UGA and closing in on University of North Georgia's numbers. The 38% earnings growth suggests graduates are landing entry-level positions that lead somewhere, rather than dead-end jobs.

The $23,000 debt load sits right at the manageable threshold. With a 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio initially, graduates face about seven months of gross pay in student loans—tight but workable for the first year. As earnings climb into the mid-$40s, that debt becomes increasingly manageable. Among Georgia's 13 programs in this field, Kennesaw ranks around the 40th percentile for starting pay, which means you're getting competitive outcomes at a school with a 69% admission rate and significantly lower barriers to entry than Emory.

The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty, but the growth pattern here is consistent with graduates who secure federal positions or defense contractor roles that start modestly but ramp up quickly. For families seeking an affordable path into international affairs without the sticker price of Georgia's flagship programs, this represents solid value—just budget carefully for that first year.