International Relations and National Security Studies at Spelman College

Similar International Relations programs in Georgia suggest first-year earnings around $39,000—right at the state median but slightly above the national benchmark of $37,000. At an estimated $21,500 in debt, that creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. This puts the program in reasonable territory financially, though it's worth noting that Georgia's IR programs show considerable variation, from Emory's $45,000 to Georgia Southern's $27,000.

The challenge here is that Spelman's specific outcomes remain unknown due to small graduate cohorts in this major. What we can say is that comparable programs at Georgia schools suggest mid-range earnings potential—not the higher returns seen at Emory or UGA, but substantially better than some alternatives. For a selective women's college with Spelman's reputation (34% admission rate, strong academic profile), the estimated debt load is relatively modest, particularly given that only 29% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families have financial resources.

The bottom line: if your daughter is drawn to Spelman's distinctive environment and this field genuinely interests her, the estimated financial picture isn't alarming. But International Relations at the bachelor's level rarely leads to high early earnings anywhere, and many graduates pursue graduate school or pivot to adjacent fields. The debt appears manageable, but only if she's realistic about starting salaries in this field and has a clear sense of how she'll leverage the degree.