International Relations and National Security Studies at Southern Adventist University

A first-year salary around $37,000—matching what similar International Relations programs produce nationally—creates a workable but tight financial picture with $21,500 in estimated debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 sits in reasonable territory, meaning graduates would dedicate roughly half a year's salary to loans. However, Tennessee's own benchmark for this field tells a more sobering story: the state median of just $23,835 suggests International Relations graduates in this region often struggle to find positions that leverage their degrees effectively.

The gap between national and Tennessee outcomes matters here. While peer programs nationally produce graduates earning in the mid-to-high thirties, local market realities may pull those figures down significantly. Rhodes College's $23,835 median—the only reported Tennessee data point—reinforces that concern. If Southern Adventist graduates face similar regional constraints, that $21,500 debt load becomes considerably harder to manage on a $24,000 salary.

For families evaluating this investment, the core question is whether the graduate plans to stay in Tennessee or has the flexibility to pursue opportunities in stronger markets for international affairs work—typically Washington D.C., major metros, or with federal agencies. Without that geographic mobility or clear pathways into competitive programs, the estimated returns suggest this degree may not deliver the earnings needed to justify even moderate debt.