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International Relations Degree in Peoria, IL — Salary & ROI 2026

International Relations degree analysis for Peoria, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$52K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$81K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4.8 yrs

in Peoria

Cost of Living

104

index (100 = avg)

International Relations in Peoria, IL Overview

While Peoria has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, International Relations students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $10,566/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 Peoria is approximately $52,000, growing to $81,120 by mid-career.

Category

Social Sciences

Local Colleges

5

Public Tuition

$8,032/yr

Private Tuition

$38,400/yr

Room & Board

$10,566/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$9,588/yr

Unemployment

5.6%

Graduation Rate

47%

International Relations Salary in Peoria (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Peoria's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,000(+$2,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$81,120(+$3,120 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$104,000(+$4,000 vs national)

Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Peoria adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.

International Relations ROI Calculator for Peoria

Estimate your return on investment for a International Relations degree using local Peoria tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,032 | Private avg: $38,400

Peoria avg aid: $9,588/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$74,392

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$15,600

vs HS diploma in Peoria

ROI Payback Period

4.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Peoria

$424,808

Lifetime earnings premium ($499,200) minus total education cost ($74,392)

Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Peoria

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$74,392
Monthly Payment$845
Total Interest$26,973
% of Monthly Income19%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$74,392
Monthly Payment$1,456
Total Interest$12,942
Interest Savings$14,031

Colleges in Peoria for International Relations

Bradley University

private

$38,400/yr

$153,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Illinois Central College

$4,980/yr

Top Employers for International Relations in Peoria

Peoria offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for International Relations graduates. National top employers in this field include:

State DepartmentUNWorld BankCIANGOs

Key Peoria Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences

Government agencies

Non-profits

Research institutes

Social services

Consulting

Common International Relations Job Titles

Foreign Service OfficerIntelligence AnalystInternational Development Specialist

International Relations Degree in Peoria — 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 Peoria.

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