International Relations and National Security Studies at Northeastern University Oakland

Northeastern's Oakland campus charges $21,125 in debt for an International Relations degree that, based on comparable California programs, appears to start around $37,000—essentially matching both state and national norms for this field. The admission profile suggests a selective student body (17% acceptance, 1472 SAT), yet the estimated first-year earnings don't reflect any premium for that selectivity. The Bay Area location might seem advantageous for international policy work, but Oakland's placement differs dramatically from what Stanford ($76,000) or USC ($52,000) achieve in this same field within California.

The four-year earnings jump to $60,000 offers some reassurance—that's a 63% increase that puts experienced graduates well above typical starting points. However, this trajectory means spending your early twenties earning less than Bay Area living costs typically demand while carrying debt payments. The 0.58 debt ratio isn't catastrophic, but it's middling at best for a program at a selective institution charging private university prices.

For parents, the core question is whether Northeastern's brand and co-op model (valuable in business or engineering) translates meaningfully to international relations careers. Based on peer program outcomes in California, this appears to deliver average results in a field where average means financial strain in expensive cities. If your student has specific government or nonprofit goals that align with the four-year earnings potential, this could work. But if they're exploring options, programs at public universities would offer similar positioning with far less debt.