International/Global Studies at Texas Lutheran University

A $24,000 debt load for first-year earnings around $36,000 creates a manageable 0.67 ratio—meaning graduates would owe roughly two-thirds of their annual salary. Based on seven similar International/Global Studies programs across Texas, this estimated starting salary tracks exactly with the state median and sits comfortably above the national benchmark of $32,800. The debt estimate, derived from comparable private institutions nationally, runs slightly higher than Texas's typical $21,500, though it remains reasonable for a private university education.

What tempers expectations here is the field itself rather than the school. Even top Texas programs like UT Austin ($42,700) and Texas A&M ($41,900) show that International Studies degrees rarely command premium starting salaries. The career paths—nonprofits, government agencies, international organizations—often prioritize mission over compensation early on. Texas Lutheran's estimates suggest outcomes consistent with mid-tier state programs, not the flagship universities that dominate Texas's higher-earning slots.

For families weighing this investment, the numbers suggest neither a standout opportunity nor a financial trap. The debt burden appears serviceable if your child pursues steady employment after graduation, but there's little evidence—even at peer institutions—that this major accelerates earnings quickly. If your student is passionate about global affairs and has realistic expectations about nonprofit or public sector salaries, these estimates indicate the degree won't be financially crippling. If they're uncertain about the field, that moderate debt could feel heavier than the ratio suggests.