Bachelor's+11% vs national median1,204 grads tracked
International Relations and National Security Studies at Pennsylvania State University (The)
Ranked 9th of 75 bachelor's programs in International Relations and National Security Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$46,435
middle 50%: $31,459 – $63,989
Median · 5 years out
$72,296
middle 50%: $52,470 – $100,616
Median · 10 years out
$97,497
middle 50%: $67,772 – $141,787
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
Penn State international relations graduates start with a $46k median salary. Ten-year earnings reach $97k.
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
5.9 yrs
≈ $6,892 total interest
Same major at other universities
Virginia Military Institute
$78,948 · 5 yrs out
College of William & Mary
$78,674 · 5 yrs out
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
Butler University
$71,899 · 5 yrs out
Carleton College
$71,298 · 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
Other majors at Pennsylvania State University (The)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$182,178 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$177,057 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$143,044 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$130,869 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$122,394 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$116,440 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$115,495 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$115,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,831 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,734 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,727 · 5 yrs out