International Relations and National Security Studies at Taylor University

A first-year salary around $37,000—typical for international relations graduates nationally—makes the estimated $21,500 in debt manageable at first glance. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in workable territory, especially when you consider that peer programs across the country carry similar debt loads. Indiana's other IR programs, including larger state universities, report nearly identical early outcomes, suggesting this estimate reflects real market conditions for the field rather than anything specific to Taylor.

The challenge isn't the debt itself but the career trajectory in international relations. This field often requires graduate education or security clearances for meaningful advancement, and that $37,000 starting point can stretch thin while pursuing either path. Similar programs nationwide show the same pattern—reasonable debt against modest early earnings that may not tell the full story of what it takes to build a career in national security or diplomacy.

For Taylor specifically, the small program size that necessitated these estimates might actually work in your child's favor through tight-knit faculty relationships and personalized guidance. But you'll want clear conversations about post-graduation plans: Is grad school likely? Are there internship pipelines to Washington or international organizations? The estimated numbers suggest financial viability, but success in this field typically depends less on the bachelor's degree itself and more on what comes after.