International Relations and National Security Studies at Texas State University

The $20,547 first-year salary from Texas State's International Relations program is troublingly low—half the state median and well below even third-tier Texas schools. Among the 15 Texas universities offering this degree, only one produces lower first-year earnings. The debt load of $18,344 is manageable in isolation, but when your graduate is earning less than many retail management positions, that 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio becomes a real burden during those critical early career years.

The small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, but they're consistent with a pattern: graduates aren't landing the competitive government, nonprofit, or private sector roles that make this degree worthwhile. Compare this to Angelo State, where the same degree yields $53,000 starting salaries, more than double Texas State's outcome. Even UT San Antonio, hardly an elite institution, produces $25,879—still 26% higher.

If your child is set on international relations, this data suggests either choosing a different Texas school or planning for graduate education from day one. At $20,547 annually, you're looking at poverty-level wages in the Austin metro area, where Texas State graduates typically seek work. The degree itself has value, but this particular program isn't opening the doors students expect.