International Relations and National Security Studies at Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio's international relations programs typically yield starting salaries around $35,500, which puts this field at the lower end of bachelor's degree outcomes. With an estimated debt load of $25,500—higher than the national median for this major—graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72. That's manageable on paper, but it leaves little breathing room when first-year salaries barely crack the mid-thirties.

The challenge here is that comparable Ohio programs, including those at flagship universities like Ohio State and Miami, show similar first-year earnings in the $32,000-39,000 range. This suggests the field itself—not the specific institution—drives these outcomes. International relations tends to funnel graduates toward entry-level government, nonprofit, or think tank positions that don't command high starting salaries, even though many students eventually pursue graduate degrees or pivot into better-paying adjacent fields.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether your student has a clear path beyond that first-year salary. If they're planning graduate school, building toward federal service with loan forgiveness, or viewing this as a stepping stone to international business or law, the estimated debt burden is reasonable. But if they're expecting this bachelor's degree alone to launch a stable career, the economics are tight enough that alternative majors or lower-cost pathways deserve serious consideration.