International Relations and National Security Studies at University of California-Riverside

UC Riverside's International Relations program starts slow but gains significant momentum—earnings jump 74% by year four to $46,876, nearly matching the national median. That early figure of $27,021 puts graduates in the bottom 5% nationally for their first year, likely reflecting the reality that many IR graduates spend time in unpaid internships or entry-level nonprofit positions before landing career-track roles. Within California specifically, this program sits at the 25th percentile, trailing the state median of $36,669 and well behind elite options like Stanford ($76,166) or USC ($52,262).

The manageable debt load of $18,914—below both state and national averages—keeps this trajectory viable. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70, even that challenging first year remains financially navigable. The question is whether your student can weather 1-2 lean years while building experience. Nearly half of UCR's students receive Pell grants, and the university clearly serves first-generation and working-class students who may need to start earning immediately.

For families who can provide financial cushioning during those early years, the four-year earnings suggest this program delivers reasonable career outcomes at a public university price point. But if your student needs immediate earning power after graduation, the steep early gap compared to California peers makes this a riskier bet than higher-performing in-state options.