International Relations and National Security Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Tech's International Relations and National Security program outperforms national expectations by a significant margin—graduates earn 20% more than the typical program nationally—but faces stiff in-state competition. Starting at $44,638, graduates land exactly at Virginia's median for this field, trailing William & Mary and UVA by roughly $2,500 annually. What sets this program apart is exceptional earnings trajectory: the 42% jump to $63,338 by year four suggests graduates are gaining valuable experience and moving into positions that reward their technical and analytical skills.

The debt picture is reassuring. At $21,500, students borrow right at the national median for this field, creating a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—a comfortable starting position that gets even better as earnings climb. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives these numbers credibility.

For families weighing Virginia options, this comes down to whether the $7,000 annual savings on tuition (compared to UVA or W&M) offsets slightly lower starting salaries. Given the strong earnings growth and Tech's reputation in defense and security circles—particularly valuable in Virginia's proximity to Washington—this program delivers solid value. Graduates who leverage internships and the university's government connections should see those initial gaps close quickly.