International Relations and National Security Studies at Loyola Marymount University

With fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers should be viewed skeptically, but they tell a story worth examining. LMU's international relations graduates earn $34,575 their first year out—about $2,000 below both California's state median and the national average for this degree. That places the program in the 40th percentile statewide, meaning six out of ten California programs produce better initial earnings. The debt load of $20,500 is reasonable and slightly below the state median, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.59.

The real concern here is context. At a selective private university in Los Angeles where only 13% of students receive Pell grants, starting at $34,575 represents a modest return compared to peer institutions. USC's comparable program yields $52,262 in first-year earnings—50% more—while charging similar tuition. The gap between LMU and top California programs is stark, with Stanford graduates earning more than double.

For families paying private school tuition, this data suggests the program underperforms relative to cost and institutional prestige. The debt is manageable, but the earnings barely crack median for a degree field that already trends toward the lower end of salary ranges. Unless your child has specific reasons to choose LMU—particular faculty, location, or career connections—stronger alternatives exist within California at similar or lower price points.