International Relations and National Security Studies at Marshall University
WV · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 45.09
Executive Summary
Graduates with a International Relations and National Security Studies degree from Marshall University earn a median salary of $47,392 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in WV, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $53,130. The degree typically pays for itself in 11.7 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$32,272
Typical Career
$47,392
Top Performers
$58,920
Estimated break-even: 11.7 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$316
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $3,949. Most students can comfortably afford about a $316 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.2x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.6x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in West Virginia buys what costs $0.89 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$53,130
Nominal: $47,392 in West Virginia (COL 89.2% of national avg) · 12.1% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $24,002 | $34,107 | $44,534 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $32,272 | $47,392 | $58,920 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $42,235 | $65,986 | $82,929 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $47,392 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in WV, which has a cost-of-living index of 89.2% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $47,392 × (1.0 ÷ 0.8920)
= $53,130 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The top industries for graduates include Health Care & Social Assistance (26.1%), Educational Services (19.7%), and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (9.1%). This diverse range of sectors suggests that graduates have multiple pathways to employment, enhancing their overall return on investment (ROI). With an estimated break-even point of approximately 11.7 years compared to a high-school-only path, the degree offers a favorable long-term financial advantage, particularly for those who are committed to careers in these growing fields.
AI-assisted editorial analysis based on Census PSEO data. Fact-checked against source data.
Compare with Another School
See how the International Relations and National Security Studies degree at Marshall University stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.