International Relations and National Security Studies at Lipscomb University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 suggests manageable first-year obligations—based on comparable programs nationally, graduates might expect around $37,000 in starting pay against roughly $21,500 in debt. That's reasonable in absolute terms, though International Relations bachelor's programs are notoriously variable in their outcomes depending on career path. The challenge here is Tennessee's track record: other IR programs in the state, including Rhodes College, show median earnings around $24,000—substantially lower than the national typical figure. Whether Lipscomb aligns with national or state patterns for this field is genuinely unclear without actual graduate data.

The practical question is what happens after that first year. International Relations careers often require graduate degrees or lengthy paths through internships and entry-level government or nonprofit work before meaningful salary growth. If your child is committed to this field and plans for further education, the moderate debt load is a plus. If they're expecting immediate financial independence, the Tennessee context should worry you—a $24,000 salary makes even $21,500 in debt challenging to service.

Without knowing how Lipscomb's specific graduates fare, you're making this decision somewhat blind. Before committing, nail down career services support for federal hiring, think tanks, and NGO placement—these connections matter enormously in this field and could determine whether outcomes track closer to the national median or Tennessee's lower figures.