International Relations and National Security Studies at Morgan State University

International relations programs across Maryland show a troubling pattern: even at the state's top institutions, first-year earnings hover around $39,000—just above the national median—while debt loads climb considerably higher. Based on peer programs, Morgan State's estimated $22,000 debt sits below both state and national medians, suggesting graduates here enter the workforce carrying less burden than many counterparts. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means roughly seven months of gross income to cover total borrowing, a manageable starting point if career momentum builds quickly.

The challenge lies in what happens next. International relations careers often require graduate credentials or unpaid internships before reaching stable, well-paying positions. Starting at $39,000 in an expensive metro area like Baltimore leaves little margin for error, and Morgan State serves a population where 54% qualify for Pell grants—students who typically can't afford extended periods of low-earning career building. The field rewards persistence and connections, but that timeline doesn't align well with immediate loan repayment pressures.

If your child is passionate about global affairs and has family support for those lean early years, the relatively modest debt makes this workable. But without that cushion, they should enter with eyes open: this bachelor's degree alone may not deliver financial stability quickly enough, and the path to better earnings often requires additional investment in graduate education or accepting entry-level positions that don't justify the credential cost.