International Relations and National Security Studies at Wesleyan College

Similar international relations programs in Georgia suggest first-year earnings around $39,275—right at the state median but ahead of the $37,198 national benchmark. That's the encouraging part. The challenge is that this estimate comes from just five peer programs statewide, and the actual outcomes for Wesleyan's specific cohort remain unknown due to small graduate numbers.

The estimated $21,500 debt load produces a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's better than many liberal arts degrees. However, international relations careers often require graduate education for meaningful advancement, and 44% of Wesleyan students receive Pell grants—suggesting many families are already stretching financially for the bachelor's degree alone. If your child needs a master's to reach their career goals, you're looking at stacking additional debt onto this foundation.

The real question is whether this particular program connects graduates to the kinds of opportunities reflected in those peer estimates—or whether outcomes skew lower given Wesleyan's modest selectivity and regional reach. Without school-specific data, you're taking on faith that results will match state averages. If graduate school is in the cards, consider whether starting at a lower-cost institution might preserve resources for the credentials that matter most in this field.