International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Rhode Island

Rhode Island's handful of international relations programs show significant variation, with Brown University's graduates reporting median earnings of $46,284—roughly $9,000 more than what peer programs nationally suggest URI graduates might expect. The estimated $37,000 first-year salary sits right at the national median for this degree, which means this program likely performs neither better nor worse than the typical international relations bachelor's across the country.

The estimated debt of $22,000 tells a more favorable story. That's manageable for a four-year degree and translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59—meaning the total debt burden equals about seven months of first-year salary. For context, similar programs nationally carry a median debt of $21,634, while Rhode Island programs have historically averaged just $12,000. URI's estimated position falls between these benchmarks, suggesting reasonable borrowing for this field.

The real question is career trajectory. International relations degrees often require graduate school or lead to entry-level government and nonprofit positions where early salaries don't reflect long-term potential. If your student plans to pursue further education or needs a few years to break into their preferred sector, that $37,000 starting point becomes less concerning. But if they're counting on immediate financial independence after graduation, comparable programs at this earning level may require patience and strategic career planning.