International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Iowa

University of Iowa's International Relations program starts modestly but demonstrates impressive momentum—early-career earnings of $36,376 jump to $57,275 by year four, a 58% increase that significantly outpaces typical wage growth. That trajectory matters because while first-year earnings sit near national medians, by year four graduates are pulling well ahead of the $37,198 national benchmark for this field. Among Iowa's eight programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, suggesting solid in-state positioning for a state school education.

The debt picture strengthens the value proposition considerably. At $26,030, graduates carry manageable debt—this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden, meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more. The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than their first year's salary, and by year four, that debt represents less than half of annual earnings. For an 85% admission rate institution, these outcomes reflect responsible program sizing and good job placement.

The caveat here is that International Relations careers often require graduate education or security clearances to reach higher earning potential, so the four-year mark may not represent this cohort's ceiling. Still, for families concerned about undergraduate debt loads, this program delivers a manageable financial foundation with clear upward earnings momentum—a reasonable launchpad for either immediate employment or further education.