International Relations and National Security Studies at Wright State University-Main Campus

A bachelor's in International Relations from Wright State will likely result in first-year earnings around $35,564—based on what similar Ohio programs produce—which lags behind national outcomes in this field by roughly $1,600. More concerning is the estimated debt load of $25,500, which sits above the national median for this major and creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72. That means graduates would owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary, making the financial recovery slower than you'd want for a field that doesn't typically command premium starting salaries.

Looking at peer institutions in Ohio, Wright State appears positioned in the middle of the pack. Programs at Miami University and Ohio State show slightly stronger earnings, while Cleveland State produces comparable outcomes. The challenge isn't unique to Wright State—International Relations programs across Ohio face the same reality of modest starting salaries relative to debt. However, with a 95% admission rate and lower selectivity metrics, Wright State may not provide the networking advantages or credential signaling that can help graduates compete for limited positions in diplomacy, intelligence, or international organizations.

The bottom line: this program demands careful thinking about your child's career path. If they're committed to government service or graduate school—where starting salary matters less than trajectory—the debt burden is manageable. But if they're uncertain about their direction, paying above-average debt for below-average early earnings in a competitive field creates financial pressure that could limit their options after graduation.