International/Global Studies at Texas State University

Texas State's International/Global Studies program punches above its weight in a field where earnings can be unpredictable. At $37,397 in first-year earnings, graduates earn more than the national median by 14% and rank in the 69th percentile nationally—solid performance for a broad liberal arts degree. Within Texas, this program sits at the 60th percentile, trailing only UT Austin and Texas A&M among major public universities while costing substantially less in debt than private alternatives like St. Edward's.

The financial picture is manageable: graduates carry $24,313 in debt—just slightly above the national median but notably higher than the Texas state average. Still, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 means most graduates should be able to handle their loans on a typical repayment schedule. The 11% earnings growth to $41,400 by year four suggests these graduates are finding their footing in the job market, though gains remain modest compared to more technical fields.

For parents weighing this degree, the key question is career direction. International studies opens doors in nonprofits, government, and business, but it's not a direct pipeline to high-paying jobs. If your student has a clear path in mind—perhaps graduate school, foreign service, or international business—Texas State delivers comparable outcomes to more selective Texas schools at a better value. If they're still figuring things out, the moderate debt load at least keeps options open.