International Relations Degree in Ann Arbor, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
International Relations degree analysis for Ann Arbor, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.1 yrs
in Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
International Relations in Ann Arbor, MI Overview
Ann Arbor, Michigan (pop. 123,851) has 14 colleges offering International Relations programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,014/month. International Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Diplomacy and Geopolitical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Ann Arbor is approximately $42,500, growing to $66,300 by mid-career.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,736/yr
Private Tuition
$33,100/yr
Room & Board
$9,067/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,913/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
65%
International Relations Salary in Ann Arbor (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Ann Arbor's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Ann Arbor adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
International Relations ROI Calculator for Ann Arbor
Estimate your return on investment for a International Relations degree using local Ann Arbor tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,736 | Private avg: $33,100
Ann Arbor avg aid: $16,913/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,212
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Ann Arbor
ROI Payback Period
8.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Ann Arbor
$304,788
Lifetime earnings premium ($408,000) minus total education cost ($103,212)
Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Ann Arbor
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Ann Arbor for International Relations
University of Michigan
public
$16,736/yr
$66,944 total
Concordia University Ann Arbor
private
$33,100/yr
$132,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washtenaw Community College
$3,600/yr
Top Employers for International Relations in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for International Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Ann Arbor Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common International Relations Job Titles
International Relations in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Ann Arbor
Political Science
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$37K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
International Relations Degree in Ann Arbor — 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 Ann Arbor.