International Relations Degree in Lowell, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
International Relations degree analysis for Lowell, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$88K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Lowell
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
International Relations in Lowell, MA Overview
While Lowell has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, International Relations students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,748/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 Lowell is approximately $56,250, growing to $87,750 by mid-career.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,748/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,502/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
73%
International Relations Salary in Lowell (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lowell's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Lowell adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
International Relations ROI Calculator for Lowell
Estimate your return on investment for a International Relations degree using local Lowell tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
Lowell avg aid: $14,502/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Lowell
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lowell
$416,608
Lifetime earnings premium ($540,000) minus total education cost ($123,392)
Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Lowell
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lowell for International Relations
Lowell State University
public
$16,448/yr
$65,792 total
University of Lowell
public
$18,005/yr
$72,020 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lowell Community College
$6,184/yr
Top Employers for International Relations in Lowell
Lowell offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for International Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lowell Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common International Relations Job Titles
International Relations in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lowell
Political Science
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$56K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$50K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
International Relations Degree in Lowell — 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 Lowell.