International/Global Studies at Temple University

Temple's International/Global Studies program lands squarely in the middle of Pennsylvania's offerings—essentially tied with the state median at $30,754—but trails the national benchmark by about $2,000. More concerning is where graduates find themselves a year out: earning roughly $30,000 while carrying over $25,000 in debt. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82, meaning nearly a full year's salary goes toward paying off what you borrowed.

The program does have one advantage: relatively modest debt compared to peers nationally (26th percentile). But when Drexel graduates in the same field earn nearly $10,000 more annually, that low debt burden becomes less impressive. You're saving a few thousand dollars at graduation while potentially earning $30,000-40,000 less over the first four years of your career.

For families considering this path, the arithmetic is straightforward: your child will likely struggle financially in those early post-graduation years, making standard loan payments while building toward a career. Unless they have specific career connections in international affairs or plan for graduate school (which adds more debt), you're looking at a degree that barely outpaces what many entry-level jobs offer without requiring a four-year commitment. If global studies is the passion, Temple works—but expect a tough financial start, not a launch pad.