International Relations and National Security Studies at Miami University-Oxford

Miami University-Oxford graduates in International Relations earn $38,766 initially—above both the Ohio median ($35,564) and the national average ($37,198). What makes this program particularly promising is the trajectory: earnings jump 46% to $56,642 by year four, pushing well past typical outcomes for this field. Among Ohio's 23 programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it ahead of most in-state alternatives including Cincinnati and Cleveland State.

The debt load of $21,977 is actually lower than Ohio's typical $25,500 for this major, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57. That means graduates owe less than seven months' salary—reasonable for any bachelor's degree. The combination of below-state-average debt and above-state-average earnings creates immediate financial breathing room that only improves as careers develop.

For a family weighing this program, the fundamentals work: your graduate enters the workforce earning more than peers from other Ohio programs, carries less debt than those peers, and sees strong mid-career growth. International relations typically isn't a lucrative field straight out of college, but Miami's graduates are clearing the important hurdles—they're employable, building momentum quickly, and not buried in debt while doing it. If your student is passionate about this career path, this is among the stronger in-state options to pursue it.