International Relations and National Security Studies at Northeastern University

In Massachusetts, International Relations programs produce widely varying outcomes—from $26,000 at Mount Holyoke to over $54,000 at Tufts. Northeastern's estimated first-year earnings of $45,870 place it in the middle of this pack, though crucially these are derived from just three comparable programs statewide, not from tracking this school's actual graduates. The modest debt load of $21,125 creates a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary.

The jump to nearly $60,000 by year four suggests decent career progression, though whether Northeastern's specific program—with its emphasis on security studies and likely co-op opportunities—delivers better or worse than the state median remains unknown. What's clear is that this field rarely produces spectacular early earnings anywhere: the national median sits at just $37,000, making the estimated Massachusetts figure look relatively strong by comparison.

For a highly selective program at a school with a 6% admission rate, you're looking at reasonable debt for a field that typically requires patience and strategic career planning. The real question is whether your student wants the low-and-steady trajectory that international affairs typically offers, because even at the stronger programs, this isn't a path to quick financial returns. The debt is manageable, but only if they understand they're choosing mission over money in those crucial early years.