International/Global Studies at Texas A&M University-College Station

Texas A&M's International/Global Studies program punches well above the national average, with first-year earnings of $41,886 putting graduates nearly $9,000 ahead of their peers nationwide and landing in the 84th percentile nationally. The $18,000 typical debt load is reasonable—about 43% of first-year earnings—and creates a manageable financial starting point. Within Texas, this program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing only UT Austin among major state universities but ahead of Texas Tech, UNT, and matching the state median.

The 24% earnings growth trajectory from year one to year four shows solid progression, with graduates reaching nearly $52,000 by the four-year mark. This upward trend suggests the degree opens doors to positions with genuine advancement potential, not just entry-level roles. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives these numbers real credibility—this isn't a cherry-picked outlier year.

For families concerned about liberal arts degrees leading nowhere, this program offers a concrete counterexample. The combination of below-national-average debt and above-national-average earnings creates a financial profile that actually works. Your student would graduate with debt they can realistically pay down while building international relations, policy, or business skills at a well-regarded flagship institution.