International/Global Studies at University of Nebraska at Omaha

At $33,798 in first-year earnings, UNO's International Studies program sits squarely in the middle nationally but trails other Nebraska options—falling below the state median of $35,362 and landing in just the 40th percentile among the state's five programs. With manageable debt of $20,527 (slightly below state average), the financial fundamentals aren't alarming, but the trajectory shows graduates starting nearly $3,000 behind what University of Nebraska-Lincoln produces for the same degree.

The 18% earnings growth to nearly $40,000 by year four suggests the degree opens doors that take time to walk through, likely reflecting the reality that global affairs and international relations careers often require graduate credentials or language skills that develop post-graduation. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 means your child could reasonably pay off loans within a few years of graduating, which matters when weighing a major that rarely leads to six-figure salaries.

This program works best for students committed to international careers who value UNO's accessibility (87% admission rate, lower tuition than private alternatives) over maximizing short-term earnings. If your child is set on this field, the modest debt load provides breathing room to pursue internships, language training, or graduate school. Just recognize they'll likely be earning less initially than peers at Lincoln—a gap worth the tuition savings only if location or fit strongly favors Omaha.