International Relations and National Security Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

In Tennessee, International Relations programs show considerable variation in outcomes, and Middle Tennessee State's estimated figures place it in the middle of the pack. Based on comparable programs nationally, graduates might expect to earn around $37,000 in their first year—substantially higher than the $23,835 reported by the state's other measurable program at Rhodes College. By year four, actual reported earnings reach nearly $41,000, suggesting steady early-career progression in this field.

The estimated debt load of $22,000 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary. This aligns closely with both state and national benchmarks for International Relations programs, which typically graduate students with similar debt burdens. For context, this ratio falls well below the 1.0 threshold that financial aid experts generally consider concerning.

The challenge here is the limited sample size that necessitated these estimates—it suggests this is a smaller program without the extensive alumni network that sometimes benefits graduates in fields where connections matter. However, the four-year earnings data being actual rather than estimated indicates some graduates are staying in the system and reporting, which provides at least one concrete data point. For parents, the key question is whether their child has specific career goals in government, security, or international affairs where this credential opens doors, since the earnings trajectory appears modest but stable rather than explosive.