International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound's International Relations program starts at an unusually low earnings point—$28,176 puts graduates in just the 13th percentile nationally—but the trajectory tells a more optimistic story. By year four, earnings jump to $49,126, representing 74% growth and moving graduates solidly above the national median. This is one of those programs where the first year may involve unpaid internships, public service work, or competitive entry positions, but the long-term prospects appear more viable than the initial number suggests.

The state context provides an interesting wrinkle: while these graduates rank poorly nationally, they're actually at the median for Washington IR programs. This reflects broader challenges with this field in the Seattle-Tacoma region rather than program-specific weakness. The debt load of $25,798 is higher than the national median but manageable given the strong earnings growth, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0 that suggests graduates can realistically service their loans within a few years of entry-level positions.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether they can financially support a graduate through that challenging first year. If your child needs immediate earning power after graduation, this field presents real obstacles regardless of school. But if you can provide a runway—covering living expenses during internships or accepting lower initial income—the mid-career earnings suggest the degree does eventually translate to viable career options.