International Relations Degree in Lee's Summit, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
International Relations degree analysis for Lee's Summit, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Lee's Summit
Cost of Living
95.5
index (100 = avg)
International Relations in Lee's Summit, MO Overview
While Lee's Summit has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, International Relations students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,180/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. International Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Diplomacy and Geopolitical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Lee's Summit is approximately $47,750, growing to $74,490 by mid-career.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,200/yr
Private Tuition
$30,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,180/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,461/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
45%
International Relations Salary in Lee's Summit (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lee's Summit's cost of living index of 95.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Lee's Summit adjustment factor: 0.95x based on the local cost of living index.
International Relations ROI Calculator for Lee's Summit
Estimate your return on investment for a International Relations degree using local Lee's Summit tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,200 | Private avg: $30,000
Lee's Summit avg aid: $8,461/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,520
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,325
vs HS diploma in Lee's Summit
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lee's Summit
$360,880
Lifetime earnings premium ($458,400) minus total education cost ($97,520)
Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Lee's Summit
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lee's Summit for International Relations
Lee's Summit State University
public
$9,311/yr
$37,244 total
University of Lee's Summit
public
$11,299/yr
$45,196 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lee's Summit Community College
$5,472/yr
Top Employers for International Relations in Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for International Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lee's Summit Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common International Relations Job Titles
International Relations in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$47K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$49K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Columbia, MO
$42K starting · COL 84
10 colleges
Independence, MO
$43K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
OFallon, MO
$44K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$45K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$42K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lee's Summit
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 Lee's Summit — 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 Lee's Summit.