International Relations and National Security Studies at Marshall University

International Relations programs typically launch graduates into government, nonprofits, or military-connected roles where starting salaries rarely impress on paper. Based on comparable programs nationally, Marshall's graduates would start around $37,000—squarely at the national median but notably below the $42,000 typical for West Virginia IR programs. That gap matters: American Public University System, also serving WV students, reports first-year earnings near $48,000, suggesting this field can pay better even within the state.

The estimated debt load of $22,000 translates to manageable monthly payments of roughly $245 over ten years. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, graduates would dedicate about a quarter of their gross income to loan repayment initially—tight but workable if living costs stay reasonable. The challenge is that IR careers often cluster in expensive cities like Washington, D.C., where that $37,000 stretches far less than it would in Huntington.

For families weighing this investment, the uncertainty here cuts both ways. Marshall's actual outcomes might exceed these peer-based estimates if the program has strong D.C. pipelines or federal hiring connections. But they might also fall short if graduates struggle to access those competitive opportunities. Before committing, push the department for concrete placement data: where do graduates actually work, and what do they earn two or three years out when clearances and experience start mattering?