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International Relations Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$69K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$107K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.7 yrs

in Syracuse

Cost of Living

137

index (100 = avg)

International Relations in Syracuse, NY Overview

Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering International Relations programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. International Relations enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Diplomacy and Geopolitical Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $68,500, growing to $106,860 by mid-career.

Category

Social Sciences

Local Colleges

10

Public Tuition

$14,304/yr

Private Tuition

$57,750/yr

Room & Board

$19,896/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$16,141/yr

Unemployment

4%

Graduation Rate

62%

International Relations Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,500(+$18,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$106,860(+$28,860 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$137,000(+$37,000 vs national)

Note: National average International Relations salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.

International Relations ROI Calculator for Syracuse

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

Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750

Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$136,800

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$20,550

vs HS diploma in Syracuse

ROI Payback Period

6.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Syracuse

$520,800

Lifetime earnings premium ($657,600) minus total education cost ($136,800)

Student Loan Payoff for International Relations in Syracuse

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$1,553
Total Interest$49,600
% of Monthly Income27%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$2,677
Total Interest$23,799
Interest Savings$25,801

Colleges in Syracuse for International Relations

Syracuse University

private

$57,750/yr

$231,000 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Onondaga Community College

$5,504/yr

Top Employers for International Relations in Syracuse

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

State DepartmentUNWorld BankCIANGOs

Key Syracuse 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 Syracuse — 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.

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Compare International Relations ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Syracuse.

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