International Relations and National Security Studies at Westminster University

A bachelor's in International Relations from Westminster faces a challenging reality: similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $37,000 against debt near $21,500. That's a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio on paper, but the context tells a different story. Utah's other programs in this field—primarily BYU—report median earnings of $50,563, meaning Westminster's estimated outcomes trail the state benchmark by roughly $13,000 annually. That gap compounds over time, turning what looks like reasonable debt into a longer payback period than students at peer institutions face.

The national picture offers little comfort either. At $37,000, these estimated earnings sit at the national median for the field, meaning half of similar programs produce lower outcomes. For a credential that typically leads to competitive government positions or requires graduate school for career advancement, starting near the bottom half nationally while carrying $21,500 in debt creates financial pressure that may limit your child's options for internships, graduate school, or lower-paying public service roles that could build toward better opportunities.

The practical concern: if your child wants to work in international relations in Utah, they'll likely be competing against BYU graduates who appear to command significantly higher starting salaries. If they plan to leave the state, they're looking at a national market where this degree's outcomes are unremarkable. Before committing, get concrete data on Westminster's actual graduate outcomes and career placement in this specific major—the estimates alone don't justify the investment without stronger evidence of results.