International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Baltimore

In Maryland, International Relations programs show a wide earning spread—from Johns Hopkins grads starting at $44,000 to Goucher's $25,868. The University of Baltimore falls in the middle based on comparable programs, with estimated first-year earnings around $39,200 against roughly $22,100 in debt. That 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable monthly payments, assuming your child lands steady work in the field.

The challenge here isn't the debt load—it's the earning trajectory. International Relations degrees often require graduate school or security clearances to reach higher salaries, and that $39,200 starting point is just above the national median for this major. With 43% of Baltimore students on Pell grants, many graduates may be balancing loan payments while building the professional networks and credentials that open doors in foreign policy, intelligence, or government contracting—fields where entry can be competitive and advancement slow without additional degrees.

The math works if your child treats this as a launching pad rather than a terminal degree, but they need a clear plan for breaking into national security work or international organizations. Without one, they're paying bachelor's-level debt for earnings that may require graduate-level investment to meaningfully improve.