International Relations Degree in Cleveland, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
International Relations degree analysis for Cleveland, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Cleveland
Cost of Living
96
index (100 = avg)
International Relations in Cleveland, OH Overview
Cleveland, Ohio (pop. 372,624) has 20 colleges offering International Relations programs. The local cost of living index of 96 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,156/month. International Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Diplomacy and Geopolitical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Cleveland is approximately $48,000, growing to $74,880 by mid-career.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$11,270/yr
Private Tuition
$49,395/yr
Room & Board
$10,394/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,310/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
69%
International Relations Salary in Cleveland (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Cleveland's cost of living index of 96 (national average = 100).
Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Cleveland adjustment factor: 0.96x based on the local cost of living index.
International Relations ROI Calculator for Cleveland
Estimate your return on investment for a International Relations degree using local Cleveland tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,270 | Private avg: $49,395
Cleveland avg aid: $7,310/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,656
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,400
vs HS diploma in Cleveland
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Cleveland
$374,144
Lifetime earnings premium ($460,800) minus total education cost ($86,656)
Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Cleveland
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Cleveland for International Relations
Case Western Reserve University
private
$56,480/yr
$225,920 total
Cleveland State University
public
$11,270/yr
$45,080 total
John Carroll University
private
$42,310/yr
$169,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Cuyahoga Community College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for International Relations in Cleveland
Cleveland offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for International Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Cleveland Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common International Relations Job Titles
International Relations in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$52K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$51K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$54K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Akron, OH
$53K starting · COL 105
5 colleges
Dayton, OH
$52K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$45K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$42K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$43K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Cleveland
Political Science
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$48K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$48K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$42K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$48K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
International Relations Degree in Cleveland — 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 Cleveland.