International Relations Degree in Anchorage, AK — Salary & ROI 2026
International Relations degree analysis for Anchorage, AK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$94K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Anchorage
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
International Relations in Anchorage, AK Overview
Anchorage, Alaska (pop. 291,247) has 18 colleges offering International Relations programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,400/month. International Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Diplomacy and Geopolitical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Anchorage is approximately $60,500, growing to $94,380 by mid-career.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$8,100/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$19,313/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,634/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
58%
International Relations Salary in Anchorage (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anchorage's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Anchorage adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
International Relations ROI Calculator for Anchorage
Estimate your return on investment for a International Relations degree using local Anchorage tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,100 | Private avg: $24,000
Anchorage avg aid: $15,634/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,652
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Anchorage
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anchorage
$471,148
Lifetime earnings premium ($580,800) minus total education cost ($109,652)
Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Anchorage
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anchorage for International Relations
University of Alaska Anchorage
public
$8,100/yr
$32,400 total
Alaska Pacific University
private
$24,000/yr
$96,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
UAA Community Campus
$4,300/yr
Top Employers for International Relations in Anchorage
Anchorage offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for International Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anchorage Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common International Relations Job Titles
Other Social Sciences Majors in Anchorage
Political Science
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
International Relations Degree in Anchorage — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare International Relations ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anchorage.