International/Global Studies at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's International/Global Studies program substantially outperforms both national and state competition, with graduates earning $55,240 one year out—68% more than the national median and nearly double the typical Ohio graduate in this field. This places it at the 95th percentile both nationally and within Ohio, where even the next-best program (University of Dayton) produces graduates earning barely half as much. While debt of $20,075 sits slightly below the national median for this program, the real story is the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than five months of gross salary.

For context, most International/Global Studies programs struggle with low earnings—the national median sits at just $32,819. Ohio State appears to have cracked the code here, likely through stronger career placement pipelines, alumni networks in Columbus's growing international business sector, or more rigorous professional preparation than typical liberal arts programs in this field. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these numbers.

This represents one of the strongest outcomes you'll find for an International/Global Studies degree anywhere. If your child is genuinely interested in global affairs and wants the practical career prospects typically reserved for business majors, this program delivers both the credential and the paycheck.