International Relations and National Security Studies at Saint Xavier University

Saint Xavier's International Relations program carries an estimated $21,375 in debt—right in line with the national median—but the earnings story demands closer attention. Similar programs across Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $37,938, which lands graduates near the national median but thousands behind Northwestern's $58,326 and even trails Wheaton's $40,084. For a program serving a student body where 56% receive Pell grants, that income gap matters.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 looks manageable on paper, meaning graduates from comparable programs would dedicate roughly half a year's salary to their loan balance. However, $37,938 before taxes leaves little cushion in an expensive city like Chicago, where housing and transportation costs quickly consume entry-level wages. International relations careers often require unpaid internships or low-paying entry positions at nonprofits and government agencies before salaries improve, which these first-year figures don't capture.

The practical question is whether Saint Xavier provides the networking and career support that compensates for starting $20,000+ behind Northwestern graduates in the same job market. With an 86% admission rate, this program offers access to students who might not get into more selective schools, but parents should verify what connections and internship pipelines the school maintains in Chicago's international affairs community. Without those advantages, paying $21,000 to start near $38,000 becomes harder to justify.