International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Maine

University of Maine's International Relations program graduates start at $35,337—below the national median for this field, though it ranks at the 60th percentile within Maine (where it's the only program of its kind). More encouraging is the debt picture: at $26,000, graduates carry significantly less than the national median of $21,634—wait, that's backwards. The debt is actually *higher* than the national median, despite what the percentile ranking suggests. With a 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates face about nine months of earnings to clear their loans, which is manageable but not exceptional for a liberal arts degree.

The real caution here is the sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one person's career choice can swing these numbers dramatically. International Relations programs typically serve as launching pads to graduate school, federal service, or nonprofit work, paths where early earnings don't tell the full story. The $35,337 starting point isn't alarming for fields that often require additional credentials or start with entry-level public sector positions.

For Maine families, this is the only in-state option for this specific program, which matters for keeping costs down. If your student is committed to international relations and plans to stay regional or pursue graduate school anyway, the modest debt load makes this workable. But if they're uncertain about the field or expecting immediate career returns, the below-average starting salary deserves a frank conversation about post-graduation plans.