Bachelor's+10% vs national median218 grads tracked
International Relations and National Security Studies at Carleton College
Ranked 11th of 75 bachelor's programs in International Relations and National Security Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$46,967
middle 50%: $31,237 – $73,307
Median · 5 years out
$71,298
middle 50%: $50,539 – $105,519
Median · 10 years out
$98,592
middle 50%: $70,012 – $171,256
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for International Relations and National Security Studies (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Carleton College international relations graduates earn $47k in year 1. Median earnings rise to $71k by year 5 and $99k by year 10.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
6 yrs
≈ $6,894 total interest
Same major at other universities
Connecticut College
$78,529 · 5 yrs out
University of Richmond
$74,524 · 5 yrs out
Penn State World Campus
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Mary Baldwin University
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$72,296 · 5 yrs out
Butler University
$71,899 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Institute of Technology
$71,178 · 5 yrs out
Randolph - Macon College
$70,090 · 5 yrs out
James Madison University
$69,087 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$67,403 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$67,389 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Geneseo
$66,779 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Carleton College
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$136,177 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$136,177 · 5 yrs out
Statistics (Bachelor's)
$111,686 · 5 yrs out
Economics (Bachelor's)
$102,242 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Bachelor's)
$97,751 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics (Bachelor's)
$93,589 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Bachelor's)
$79,570 · 5 yrs out
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's)
$76,770 · 5 yrs out
Philosophy (Bachelor's)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Philosophy and Religious Studies (Bachelor's)
$70,298 · 5 yrs out
Physics (Bachelor's)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Chemistry (Bachelor's)
$64,523 · 5 yrs out