International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Minnesota-Duluth

A bachelor's in International Relations from UMN-Duluth comes with estimated figures that, while uncertain for this specific program, suggest a manageable financial picture compared to many liberal arts degrees. The estimated $22,000 in debt paired with first-year earnings around $37,000 produces a debt-to-income ratio of 0.59—meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their annual salary. That's reasonable by today's standards, particularly for a field not known for immediate high earnings.

What's striking is how these estimates compare to Minnesota's reality. The state median for this major sits at just $28,600—nearly $9,000 lower than the national figure used here. Even the University of Minnesota's flagship Twin Cities campus reports that lower number. If Duluth's actual outcomes track closer to other Minnesota programs, the financial picture becomes tighter, though still not alarming given the moderate debt load.

The real question is career direction. International relations degrees open doors in government, nonprofits, and increasingly the private sector, but many positions require graduate education or security clearances that take time to obtain. For a student certain about this path and prepared for a potentially slow career build, the debt load won't be crushing. For someone exploring options, the uncertainty in both the earnings estimates and the field's entry requirements warrants serious conversation about backup plans and realistic timelines for career advancement.