International/Global Studies at Liberty University

Liberty's International/Global Studies program produces first-year earnings of $30,349—roughly $6,000 below Virginia's state median and in the bottom quarter of similar programs statewide. That gap matters: Virginia employers clearly pay global studies graduates more elsewhere, with UVA's comparable program yielding $42,000. The difference isn't just prestige; it suggests weaker alumni networks or career placement in this particular program.

The debt load of $22,914 looks manageable on paper, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.8. But given the modest starting salary, you're looking at monthly payments that consume a meaningful chunk of entry-level income. The real concern is trajectory—global studies graduates typically need several years to reach comfortable earnings, and starting $6,000 behind Virginia peers extends that timeline considerably.

The very small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, but that's actually another red flag—it suggests a tiny program that may lack the resources and employer relationships that larger departments use to boost graduate outcomes. For families paying out-of-state tuition or taking on additional loans, this represents a weak return. Virginia residents with in-state options should strongly consider programs closer to the state median, where graduates start $6,000 ahead on day one.