International Relations and National Security Studies bachelor's degree outcomes at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public · Federal field 4509

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$4,405 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 35.2% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: $20,003 / year
10-year scenario: −17% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →

$0Annual price+$80,010

$10,000Annual price+$40,010

$20,000Annual price+$10

$30,000Annual price−$39,990

$33,000Current college-wide context−$51,990

$40,000Annual price−$79,990

$50,000Annual price−$119,990

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+47%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$45,858 → $67,400

87Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

34Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

109Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

185Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$48,453Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

0Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$32,875

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$25,000

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$71,001

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$265/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$32,875Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$39,694Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE60.6%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE86.1%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$45,858Year 1

$71,001Year 4

$67,400Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

4.5% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$5,917

Estimated loan payment$265

185borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$71,001 vs. $66,596

$4,405 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Political Scientists$140,020 median wagePA estimate · 70 jobs · 19-3094-2.0% projected U.S. growth · 0.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeManagers, All Other$131,600 median wagePA estimate · 20,170 jobs · 11-9199+4.9% projected U.S. growth · 100.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePolitical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$97,230 median wagePA estimate · 660 jobs · 25-1065+2.5% projected U.S. growth · 1.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degree

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