Bachelor's · Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Is International Relations and National Security Studies at The University of Alabama worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 5.4 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating: $47,927; Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating: $59,527; Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation: $26,000; NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families: $86k (likely $86k – $106k); AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4: $25k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in AL; 2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback: 5.4 years (likely 3.9–7.8); Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return: −$11k (likely −$106k – $97k); Today's dollars
20-year net return: $302k (likely $103k – $537k); Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide): 74%; Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

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⚖️ Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward law, government & society majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

AP U.S. Government and Politics
AP U.S. History
AP English Language and Composition
AP Comparative Government and Politics

IB Higher Level

History HL
Global Politics HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.