International Relations and National Security Studies at Regent University

Comparable international relations programs in Virginia suggest first-year earnings around $44,600—a figure that places graduates roughly in line with George Mason and Virginia Tech. With an estimated $21,500 in debt, the financial picture looks manageable: the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 means students would owe less than half their first year's salary, allowing for a reasonable payoff timeline if they secure employment near these projections.

The uncertainty here matters more than usual. International relations careers vary wildly by sector—federal agencies, nonprofits, defense contractors, and NGOs offer dramatically different compensation. Without Regent's actual graduate outcomes, you're betting that their students land jobs similar to those at peer Virginia programs. Given Regent's 1169 average SAT and 48% Pell grant population, career services and networking opportunities become crucial differentiators that estimated data can't capture.

For families considering this path, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable affordability if—and this is the critical qualifier—graduates actually achieve earnings typical of Virginia IR programs. Before committing, ask Regent's career services for specific placement data: where do their IR graduates actually work, and what do they earn? The difference between a $45,000 federal contractor role and a $30,000 nonprofit position dramatically changes whether $21,500 in debt feels manageable or burdensome.