International Relations and National Security Studies at Roanoke College

Roanoke College's International Relations program appears positioned in the middle of Virginia's competitive field, where peer programs suggest first-year earnings around $44,600—slightly above the national median but trailing the state's flagship universities by a few thousand dollars. With an 80% admission rate and average SAT scores around 1190, Roanoke offers a less selective alternative to Virginia's top-tier public institutions, though similar programs across the state cluster tightly in the mid-$40,000 range for early earnings.

The estimated debt load of $21,500 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, meaning students would owe roughly half their first year's salary. This falls comfortably below the 1.0 threshold often cited as risky and suggests that graduates from comparable programs can realistically manage their loan payments. However, International Relations is a field where many students pursue graduate degrees or face stiff competition for entry-level positions, so that first-year figure may reflect a mix of immediate career launches and temporary employment while planning next steps.

The key question is whether Roanoke offers enough beyond the numbers—internship connections, faculty mentorship, Washington proximity—to justify similar costs to larger state universities. If your child is certain about this field and Roanoke provides stronger individual attention than a big public university, the financial framework looks reasonable. But without clear advantages in placement or networks, Virginia's public options might deliver comparable outcomes at potentially lower cost.