DegreeCalc

International Relations Degree in Surprise, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$50K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$78K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.9 yrs

in Surprise

Cost of Living

100.2

index (100 = avg)

International Relations in Surprise, AZ Overview

Surprise, Arizona (pop. 143,148) has 6 colleges offering International Relations programs. The local cost of living index of 100.2 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,095/month. International Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Diplomacy and Geopolitical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Surprise is approximately $50,100, growing to $78,156 by mid-career.

Category

Social Sciences

Local Colleges

6

Public Tuition

$11,400/yr

Private Tuition

$24,000/yr

Room & Board

$14,357/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$13,568/yr

Unemployment

3.5%

Graduation Rate

49%

International Relations Salary in Surprise (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Surprise's cost of living index of 100.2 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$50,100(+$100 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$78,156(+$156 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$100,200(+$200 vs national)

Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Surprise adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.

International Relations ROI Calculator for Surprise

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

Public avg: $11,400 | Private avg: $24,000

Surprise avg aid: $13,568/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$103,028

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$15,030

vs HS diploma in Surprise

ROI Payback Period

6.9 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Surprise

$377,932

Lifetime earnings premium ($480,960) minus total education cost ($103,028)

Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Surprise

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$103,028
Monthly Payment$1,170
Total Interest$37,355
% of Monthly Income28%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$103,028
Monthly Payment$2,016
Total Interest$17,924
Interest Savings$19,432

Colleges in Surprise for International Relations

Surprise State University

public

$12,369/yr

$49,476 total

University of Surprise

public

$12,295/yr

$49,180 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Surprise Community College

$5,065/yr

Top Employers for International Relations in Surprise

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

State DepartmentUNWorld BankCIANGOs

Key Surprise 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 Surprise — 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 Surprise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators