International Relations and National Security Studies at William Jewell College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 suggests this program—based on what peer institutions nationally report—falls into manageable territory, though the absolute numbers warrant careful thought. National data from similar International Relations programs point to first-year earnings around $37,000 and debt near $21,500, figures that mirror what many liberal arts graduates face when entering competitive fields that often require graduate school or government clearances for advancement.

The challenge with International Relations is less about the initial debt load and more about career trajectory. This field typically rewards persistence and additional credentials—many graduates spend years in lower-paying internships, nonprofit work, or entry-level government positions before reaching stronger earning potential. While comparable programs suggest the debt isn't crushing relative to starting salary, $37,000 goes further in Kansas City than in Washington D.C., where many IR careers are concentrated. If your student is certain about this path, factor in whether they're prepared financially for the possibility of unpaid or low-paid work experiences that build the resume this field demands.

William Jewell's selectivity and smaller class sizes may offer networking advantages that larger programs can't match, but without program-specific outcomes data, you're making an educated guess. If graduate school is likely—and in IR, it often is—keeping undergraduate debt under $22,000 becomes more crucial, as it preserves borrowing capacity for advanced degrees that this field frequently requires.