International Relations and National Security Studies at State University of New York at Oswego

The small sample size here is crucial context—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers may not reflect typical outcomes. That said, the reported pattern is troubling: graduates start at just $24,893, ranking in the bottom 10% of New York's 37 international relations programs and well below the state median of $36,754. Even nearby SUNY Geneseo's graduates earn nearly 50% more in their first year.

The strong earnings growth to $42,294 by year four is encouraging and lifts outcomes above both state and national medians. Debt levels are reasonable at $24,376—lower than what many programs carry. The real question is whether that difficult first year, when debt payments typically begin, creates unmanageable financial strain. At a 0.98 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates are borrowing nearly a full year's salary, which can make those initial years quite challenging even if the trajectory improves.

Given the uncertainty from the small sample and the weak early earnings, parents should dig deeper before committing. Request placement data directly from Oswego's career services—where do graduates actually work, and what salaries do they command? If your student is serious about international relations, comparing outcomes at Syracuse or even Geneseo might reveal whether Oswego's specific program structure or alumni network explains this gap, or if it's simply an anomaly of limited data.