International Relations graduates earn $66,596 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,031 and $87,798. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers International Relations as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Social Sciences and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
International Relations is a focused area of study within Social Sciences. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $66,596 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 451 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 14,086 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$38,250
Median Earnings · 4yr
$66,596
Colleges Offering
451
Graduates / Year
14,086
Avg Net Price / yr
$26,731
How Much Do International Relations Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing International Relations, a typical graduate earns $66,596, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $46,031 and $87,798, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $38,250 at one year out to $66,596 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$66,596
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$66,307
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every International Relations graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$46,03125th pct.
$66,596Median
$87,79875th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $66,596 and an estimated $106,924 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.9 years.
Based on outcomes from 390 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 14,086 students who complete International Relations programs each year, the majority (58%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
58%38%
Bachelor's58%
Master's38%
Post-Bacc Cert.4%
What Can You Do With an International Relations Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. International Relations graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Political Scientist pays the most at $142,080/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
Teach political science.
Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for International Relations
Not sure where to study International Relations? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by International Relations graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Social Sciences Programs
International Relations is not the only path through Social Sciences: 12 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an International Relations program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on International Relations shows 3 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $66,596 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $38,250 at graduation to $66,596 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Wide availabilityOffered at 451 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
International Relations Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do International Relations graduates earn?
$66,596 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $46,031 and $87,798, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an International Relations degree?
$38,250 in the first year out. That grows to $66,596 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an International Relations degree?
Political Scientist is one path, and it pays a median of $142,080 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an International Relations program take?
Four years of full-time study for an International Relations bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer International Relations?
451 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an International Relations degree worth it?
$66,596 median earnings four years out against $26,731 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between International Relations and Social Sciences?
International Relations is the narrower of the two: Social Sciences covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to International Relations-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in International Relations graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring International Relations graduates consistently look for research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for International Relations graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $66,596, graduate study in International Relations tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for International Relations graduates?
Outlook is slow overall: related occupations average +0.3% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Political Science Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +2.5%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Social Sciences Programs
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