International Relations and National Security Studies at Randolph-Macon College

Similar programs in Virginia suggest this international relations degree will land graduates near $44,600 in their first year—a respectable figure that sits comfortably at the state median and notably above the $37,200 national benchmark. With estimated debt around $21,500, the 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio falls well within manageable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary rather than the full amount or more that signals genuine financial strain.

The challenge here is the inherent uncertainty. These estimates come from nine comparable Virginia programs, meaning Randolph-Macon's actual outcomes could vary meaningfully in either direction. International relations careers are notoriously variable—those entering government or nonprofit work often start lower while private sector roles pay more—and a small liberal arts college's specific network and placement patterns matter enormously. The program's small graduate cohort (why the data is suppressed) could signal either intimate attention or limited alumni connections.

For parents, the key question is career focus. If your student is genuinely committed to international affairs and will pursue internships and language skills aggressively, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. But if this is exploratory interest, recognize you're investing in a specialized credential whose payoff depends heavily on execution—and you're doing so with limited visibility into this particular program's track record. The modest debt estimate provides some cushion for career experimentation, but only if those figures hold true.