International Relations Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of relationships between nations, global politics, and international organizations.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$78K
salary
ROI Payback
5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
International Relations Overview
Study of relationships between nations, global politics, and international organizations.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
68%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
28%
Lifetime Premium
$480K
Female Graduates
52%
International Relations Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$461,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($480,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
International Relations Salary Progression
Common International Relations Careers
Foreign Service Officer
Intelligence Analyst
International Development Specialist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for International Relations
#1
Georgetown
#2
Harvard
#3
Princeton
#4
Tufts
#5
Johns Hopkins SAIS
Related Majors
International Relations Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
International Relations Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for international relations programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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