International Relations Degree in Fayetteville, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
International Relations degree analysis for Fayetteville, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.9 yrs
in Fayetteville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
International Relations in Fayetteville, NC Overview
Fayetteville, North Carolina (pop. 208,501) has 15 colleges offering International Relations programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $877/month. International Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Diplomacy and Geopolitical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Fayetteville is approximately $45,000, growing to $70,200 by mid-career.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$5,925/yr
Private Tuition
$37,000/yr
Room & Board
$10,494/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,488/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
46%
International Relations Salary in Fayetteville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fayetteville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Fayetteville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
International Relations ROI Calculator for Fayetteville
Estimate your return on investment for a International Relations degree using local Fayetteville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,925 | Private avg: $37,000
Fayetteville avg aid: $14,488/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$65,676
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in Fayetteville
ROI Payback Period
4.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fayetteville
$366,324
Lifetime earnings premium ($432,000) minus total education cost ($65,676)
Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Fayetteville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fayetteville for International Relations
Fayetteville State University
public
$5,925/yr
$23,700 total
Methodist University
private
$37,000/yr
$148,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fayetteville Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for International Relations in Fayetteville
Fayetteville offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for International Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fayetteville Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common International Relations Job Titles
International Relations in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$42K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Fayetteville
Political Science
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
International Relations Degree in Fayetteville — 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 Fayetteville.