International Relations and National Security Studies at Suffolk University

Suffolk's International Relations program carries moderate debt of $27,000—higher than the state median but still manageable given the earnings trajectory. The debt sits in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs nationwide leave students with more debt, which is genuinely good news for a private university in an expensive city.

The earnings picture requires some interpretation since first-year figures are estimated from peer programs in Massachusetts. Similar programs in the state suggest starting salaries around $46,000, which would put Suffolk's debt-to-earnings ratio at a reasonable 0.59. More encouraging is the reported four-year figure of $55,000, showing meaningful salary growth within a field not known for spectacular early earnings. That puts graduates within striking distance of Tufts outcomes ($54,000) at a fraction of what Tufts typically costs.

The real question is whether International Relations at Suffolk can deliver the connections and opportunities that make this field viable. IR careers often require unpaid internships, graduate school, or strategic networking—advantages that come more naturally at schools like Tufts or BU. Suffolk's 85% admission rate and Boston location create an interesting dynamic: easier access to a competitive city's opportunities, but without the brand recognition that opens doors automatically. For families comfortable with their student hustling for internships and being strategic about building their network, the debt load here won't become a crushing burden.