International Relations and National Security Studies at Vermont State University

The gap between Vermont's typical outcomes for this field and these national estimates tells an important story. While Vermont State's International Relations program appears aligned with the national median—around $37,000 in first-year earnings against $22,000 in debt—other Vermont schools with reported data place their graduates substantially higher. Middlebury launches students near $68,000, and even Norwich's more modest outcomes exceed $43,000. This suggests Vermont State's program, if it follows national patterns, may lag behind what's achievable in-state.

The debt burden itself looks manageable at roughly 60% of first-year earnings, a reasonable ratio that many graduates can work through. But context matters: peer programs across Vermont typically produce just $17,000 in debt while generating significantly higher earnings. That combination—lower debt and stronger earning power—makes those alternatives more compelling from a pure return-on-investment standpoint. The question becomes whether Vermont State offers other advantages that justify accepting what national data suggests will be more modest financial outcomes.

Given the uncertainty here, compare this program directly with Vermont's other options before committing. Request actual placement data from Vermont State's career services, including where recent graduates land and what sectors hire them. International relations careers often require graduate school or cluster in high-cost cities, factors that make strong initial earnings particularly valuable for managing both living expenses and future educational investments.