Bachelor's-12% vs national median437 grads tracked
International Relations and National Security Studies at University of South Carolina - Columbia
Ranked 46th of 75 bachelor's programs in International Relations and National Security Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$35,225
middle 50%: $24,395 – $50,044
Median · 5 years out
$56,819
middle 50%: $42,666 – $73,204
Median · 10 years out
$78,439
middle 50%: $54,357 – $118,750
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
International Relations and National Security Studies majors earn a median of $78k after ten years. First-year median pay for this degree stands at $35k.
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
7.5 yrs
≈ $9,055 total interest
Same major at other universities
DePaul University
$58,625 · 5 yrs out
University of North Georgia
$57,938 · 5 yrs out
Kennesaw State University
$57,899 · 5 yrs out
Fairmont State University
$57,769 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$57,471 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$56,996 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Oneonta
$56,170 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$56,029 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$55,997 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$55,827 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$55,746 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$54,144 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of South Carolina - Columbia
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$176,841 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$168,157 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$153,126 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$150,876 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$129,928 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$122,810 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,242 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$114,563 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$102,325 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$100,689 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$100,245 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$99,491 · 5 yrs out