International/Global Studies at St Lawrence University

The small sample size here demands caution, but the pattern is troubling: St Lawrence's International Studies graduates start at $26,016—below the national median by $7,000 and trailing New York's median by $3,200. While this places the program in the 40th percentile statewide (essentially middle-of-the-pack among New York schools), it ranks in just the 11th percentile nationally. The $27,000 debt load roughly matches the state median, but when your first-year earnings are this low, even moderate debt becomes burdensome.

The 47% earnings growth to year four ($38,161) offers some relief, bringing graduates closer to competitive salaries. However, that still leaves them behind University at Albany grads who start stronger. For a selective school where admitted students average 1343 on the SAT, these outcomes raise questions about return on investment—particularly since only 21% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting most families are paying near full price.

If your child is considering this program, understand that you're likely looking at several lean years post-graduation, even with eventual improvement. The small sample makes it hard to know if these numbers reflect a consistent pattern or an outlier year, but starting at $26,000 in New York—where cost of living is high—means expecting significant financial support or accepting a modest lifestyle initially.