International Relations and National Security Studies at St Catherine University

A $21,500 debt load sounds manageable until you see what similar International Relations programs typically produce in first-year earnings. At roughly $37,000 nationally—the figure we're using as a proxy here—graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, meaning they'd owe about seven months of their gross salary. That's not catastrophic, but it's hardly comfortable either, especially when Minnesota's own data suggests regional outcomes may run lower: the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities reports just $28,600 for this major.

The challenge with International Relations degrees is that entry-level positions in nonprofits, government, or advocacy organizations rarely pay well, and many require unpaid internships or graduate credentials to advance. If your student lands a federal position or corporate role, that $37,000 could climb quickly. But banking on that outcome means accepting considerable uncertainty, particularly when we're working from national averages rather than St. Catherine's own graduate outcomes.

Here's what matters: your child needs a specific career target before committing to this path. International Relations is too broad a field to justify the investment without knowing whether they're aiming for intelligence work, humanitarian organizations, or policy analysis—and what additional credentials those paths require. If graduate school is likely, factor that debt into your calculations now.