International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Denver

University of Denver's International Relations program graduates earn about $41,000 in their first year and see solid 21% growth to nearly $50,000 by year four—outperforming the national median for this field by roughly $4,000 annually. That's meaningful in a field known for modest starting salaries, placing graduates around the 60th percentile both nationally and within Colorado. The $19,500 debt load produces a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio, below the concerning 1.0 threshold where debt exceeds annual income.

The practical reality: International Relations rarely leads to high early-career earnings regardless of school, so context matters here. DU graduates start above the national median and maintain that advantage as earnings grow. With only one Colorado program in the dataset, direct in-state comparison isn't possible, but graduates are keeping pace with peers nationwide while carrying less debt than typical (30th percentile, meaning lower than 70% of programs).

For families considering this degree, understand you're investing in a field where passion often trumps pay—think nonprofits, government entry positions, or graduate school pipelines rather than immediate financial returns. The moderate debt and steady earnings growth make DU's program workable if your student is committed to this path, but reconsider if maximizing early-career income is the priority.