International/Global Studies at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska's flagship delivers above-average outcomes for International/Global Studies graduates, with first-year earnings of $36,926 that jump 31% to $48,345 by year four. That starting salary beats both the national median ($32,819) and Nebraska's state median ($35,362), placing this program in the 67th percentile nationally. With debt of $20,500—slightly below the national and state medians—graduates face a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio and can expect meaningful salary growth as they establish their careers.

The earnings trajectory here is particularly encouraging. While many liberal arts programs see modest growth or even stagnation, Nebraska's International Studies graduates are gaining real ground in the job market. By year four, they're earning substantially more than typical first-year graduates from competing programs, suggesting the degree opens doors to progressively better opportunities. The combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings growth makes this a relatively low-risk investment compared to many humanities and social science programs.

For families concerned about job prospects in a "soft skill" major, Nebraska offers a practical path forward. Your graduate likely won't get rich quickly, but they'll carry manageable debt while building toward solid mid-career earnings—a fundamentally sound financial foundation for a globally-focused career.