International Relations and National Security Studies at Mars Hill University

In North Carolina, where eight schools offer international relations programs, Mars Hill's estimated outcomes hover right at national benchmarks—but those benchmarks tell a sobering story. Peer programs across the country typically produce first-year earnings of $37,198, which means graduates are entering fields where entry-level salaries barely break $18 per hour. Coupling this with an estimated $21,500 in debt creates a manageable but tight debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, though repayment will likely consume a meaningful share of take-home pay in those crucial early career years.

The challenge with international relations degrees isn't the debt load itself—it's what graduates typically need to do after earning them. Many find their bachelor's insufficient for substantive roles in the field and return to school for master's degrees, accumulating additional debt before their careers truly launch. Others pivot to adjacent fields like nonprofit work, education, or business, which raises questions about whether the specialized degree was necessary. The 42% Pell grant rate at Mars Hill suggests many students are already relying on financial aid, making post-graduation economic pressure particularly acute.

Since these figures come from comparable programs nationally rather than Mars Hill's actual outcomes, investigate what specific career support the university provides for international relations graduates. Contact the department directly and ask where recent graduates are working and whether they needed additional credentials to get there. That concrete information matters more than estimated averages when you're making a five-figure investment.