International Relations and National Security Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio

UTSA's International Relations program produces troublingly low first-year earnings of just $25,879—$11,800 below the Texas median and nearly $5,800 below what graduates earn at Texas State, a comparable public university. While the 25th percentile state ranking might suggest "middle of the pack," the reality is starker: these graduates are earning less than two-thirds of the national average for their field. For context, Angelo State University graduates in the same program earn more than double what UTSA graduates make initially.

The debt load of $24,343 isn't catastrophic on its own, but paired with such anemic earnings, it creates a nearly 1:1 debt-to-income ratio that will strain any recent graduate's budget. At $25,879 annually, these graduates are earning barely above poverty-level wages despite completing a four-year degree. Given that 42% of UTSA students receive Pell grants, many come from families who can least afford a program with such weak early-career outcomes.

If your child is genuinely passionate about international relations, they need a clear plan for graduate school or federal employment pathways that could eventually justify this investment. Otherwise, this program's combination of below-market earnings and modest debt presents real financial headwinds right when young adults need momentum to launch their careers. The 5th percentile national ranking should be a red flag that something isn't working here.