International Relations and National Security Studies at University of Toledo

Ohio's International Relations programs show a troubling pattern: based on peer schools in the state, first-year graduates typically earn around $35,500 while carrying $25,500 in debt. That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means nearly nine months of gross income just to cover what was borrowed—before taxes, rent, or anything else. For context, the national median debt for this major is about $4,000 lower, suggesting Ohio programs may be leaving students with heavier burdens than necessary.

The earnings estimate itself sits below the national median of $37,200, and comparable programs at Ohio State and Miami University produce graduates who start around $3,000 higher. That gap matters when you're trying to make loan payments on an entry-level salary. International Relations careers often require unpaid internships, graduate degrees, or starting positions in expensive cities—all of which make this debt load harder to manage in practice.

Here's the reality check: similar programs in Ohio suggest your child will spend their first year post-graduation earning roughly what an Amazon warehouse supervisor makes, while managing debt that exceeds two-thirds of that income. Unless they have specific connections in diplomacy, intelligence, or international business—or plan to continue directly to graduate school with funding—this investment demands serious scrutiny. Look hard at what alumni from Toledo's specific program are actually doing and earning before committing.