International Relations and National Security Studies at Skidmore College

The four-year earnings figure of $45,067 gives us a meaningful data point for Skidmore's International Relations program, even as first-year earnings and debt require estimation from peer programs. That mid-career number sits slightly below what top-tier New York programs like Fordham ($46,653) report but matches the state median, suggesting graduates follow a fairly typical trajectory for this field. The estimated first-year earnings of $36,754 align exactly with both state and national medians—this is a program that appears to track closely with broader patterns rather than significantly outperforming or underperforming them.

The estimated debt load of $23,797 creates a manageable ratio of 0.65 against first-year earnings, below the concerning 1.0 threshold. For context, peer programs in New York typically carry median debt around $21,634, so Skidmore's figure runs slightly higher but not dramatically so. At a selective private college with just 14% of students receiving Pell grants, this debt level suggests families are largely managing costs through savings or private resources rather than accumulating dangerous loan burdens.

The real question is whether the Skidmore experience justifies its private college price tag when outcomes appear solidly average for the field. International Relations degrees rarely command premium starting salaries regardless of school prestige—the $45,067 four-year mark confirms this is a career path where passion and networking matter more than immediate financial returns. If your child is drawn to this field and Skidmore's intimate environment appeals, the debt picture won't sink them. Just understand you're paying for the college experience itself, not materially better career outcomes than less expensive alternatives would provide.