International Relations and National Security Studies at Simpson College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 suggests manageable repayment in this field, though the pathway forward demands careful consideration. Based on comparable programs nationally, graduates typically start around $37,000—a figure that puts them roughly at the median for this major but well below what many liberal arts degrees command in more technical fields. The estimated $21,500 in debt aligns closely with national norms for International Relations bachelor's programs, making the monthly payment burden reasonable if those first-year earnings hold steady.

The challenge lies in the career trajectory itself. International relations often requires graduate education or security clearances to access higher-paying federal positions, meaning that $37,000 might represent an extended plateau rather than a launching point. Iowa's limited market for international affairs work compounds this—with only one other program reporting actual outcomes (University of Iowa at $36,376), most graduates likely need to leave the state for relevant opportunities. Simpson's 89% admission rate and the program's small cohort size (hence the suppressed data) suggest this isn't a pipeline to elite federal agencies or think tanks.

If your child is genuinely committed to national security or diplomacy work and willing to relocate—potentially to Washington D.C. or major metros—the debt load won't sink them. But this field rewards pedigree and connections more than most, and a regional Iowa college may struggle to provide either.