International Relations and National Security Studies at Russell Sage College

Can you afford to borrow $23,797 for a degree that, based on comparable New York programs, leads to around $36,750 in first-year earnings? For parents weighing Russell Sage's International Relations program, that's the central question. The estimated debt load here sits slightly above what similar programs typically carry, while the earnings projection mirrors the state median for this field. That 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment—roughly two-thirds of a year's salary—but it also means starting your career with a significant financial burden for what amounts to entry-level pay.

Context matters: New York's stronger International Relations programs at schools like Fordham and Hamilton report first-year earnings in the mid-$40,000s, nearly $10,000 more than what Russell Sage graduates might expect based on peer institutions. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are making this investment without much cushion. The field itself tends toward government, nonprofits, and think tanks—sectors not known for generous starting salaries—which makes that debt figure more consequential than it might be in higher-paying fields.

The takeaway: this program appears positioned right at the middle of the pack for New York, but that middle still means modest earnings relative to debt. If your child is committed to this career path, calculate whether your family can handle loan payments on a $37,000 salary, and consider whether the school's connections might open doors that justify the cost over less expensive state options.