DegreeCalc

International Relations Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$71K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$110K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Providence

Cost of Living

141

index (100 = avg)

International Relations in Providence, RI Overview

Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering International Relations programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,476/month. International Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Diplomacy and Geopolitical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $70,500, growing to $109,980 by mid-career.

Category

Social Sciences

Local Colleges

7

Public Tuition

$15,259/yr

Private Tuition

$59,540/yr

Room & Board

$17,733/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,708/yr

Unemployment

4.3%

Graduation Rate

54%

International Relations Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,500(+$20,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$109,980(+$31,980 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$141,000(+$41,000 vs national)

Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.

International Relations ROI Calculator for Providence

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

Public avg: $15,259 | Private avg: $59,540

Providence avg aid: $15,708/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$131,968

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$21,150

vs HS diploma in Providence

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Providence

$544,832

Lifetime earnings premium ($676,800) minus total education cost ($131,968)

Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Providence

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$131,968
Monthly Payment$1,498
Total Interest$47,848
% of Monthly Income26%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$131,968
Monthly Payment$2,582
Total Interest$22,958
Interest Savings$24,890

Colleges in Providence for International Relations

Brown University

private

$62,680/yr

$250,720 total

Providence College

private

$56,400/yr

$225,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Community College of Rhode Island

$4,994/yr

Top Employers for International Relations in Providence

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

State DepartmentUNWorld BankCIANGOs

Key Providence 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 Providence — 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 Providence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators