International Relations and National Security Studies at The College of Idaho

A $21,500 debt load against first-year earnings around $37,000 creates a manageable but not exceptional financial picture for this bachelor's degree. Based on national patterns for International Relations and National Security Studies programs, this 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in comfortable territory—graduates can reasonably expect to handle their loan payments on an entry-level salary in this field.

The real uncertainty here isn't the debt burden but the Idaho job market itself. The state's median for this field, drawn from the University of Idaho's outcomes, shows earnings of just $30,261—nearly $7,000 below what comparable programs nationally produce. If your child plans to stay in Idaho after graduation, that gap matters considerably. International relations careers often cluster in government hubs and major metropolitan areas, which Idaho lacks compared to states with stronger federal or international presence.

The College of Idaho's 47% admission rate and solid SAT scores suggest a reasonably selective student body, but the small program size that necessitates these estimates also signals limited campus resources specifically for this major. Your child needs a concrete plan: internships with federal agencies, language skills that travel, or willingness to relocate to DC, New York, or other cities where these degrees typically pay off. Without that exit strategy, the degree becomes harder to justify even with manageable debt.