International Relations

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$39,341

Median Earnings

$61,922

Schools Offering

591

ROI Grade

C+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $55,483Median: $61,92275th: $68,831

Best Schools for International Relations by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Johns Hopkins University MD · Private	96	$121,729	$18,809	N/A	-
2	Dartmouth College NH · Private	95	$106,153	$29,519	$17,500	A
3	Vanderbilt University TN · Private	97	$102,789	$15,846	$12,000	B+
4	Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private	96	$100,245	$21,590	$22,943	B
5	Colby College ME · Private	94	$96,621	$17,180	$27,000	C+
6	Harvard University MA · Private	96	$95,838	$19,066	N/A	-
7	Cornell University NY · Private	96	$95,391	$28,690	$14,400	A
8	Washington and Lee University VA · Private	91	$95,190	$23,781	N/A	-
9	University of Notre Dame IN · Private	97	$94,297	$26,780	$19,000	B+
10	Trinity College CT · Private	87	$94,097	$34,832	$25,000	C
11	Bucknell University PA · Private	87	$94,028	$40,766	$26,000	C+
12	Emory University GA · Private	92	$94,001	$22,585	$17,590	B
13	Santa Clara University CA · Private	90	$93,518	$50,062	$21,750	B
14	University of Pennsylvania PA · Private	97	$93,033	$28,699	$14,722	A
15	Washington University in St Louis MO · Private	96	$90,778	$21,786	$18,500	A
16	Yale University CT · Private	97	$90,764	$23,777	$15,000	B+
17	Lehigh University PA · Private	93	$90,302	$36,931	$21,150	B
18	Elon University NC · Private	75	$89,685	$41,555	$20,500	C+
19	Bowdoin College ME · Private	92	$89,253	$14,398	$19,634	B+
20	Princeton University NJ · Private	94	$88,576	$6,128	N/A	-
21	Duke University NC · Private	96	$88,459	$29,612	$14,016	B+
22	Williams College MA · Private	96	$88,339	$17,716	$10,750	A
23	College of the Holy Cross MA · Private	85	$88,088	$38,782	$27,000	C
24	Hamilton College NY · Private	89	$88,019	$28,985	$12,500	A
25	Lafayette College PA · Private	92	$87,904	$34,433	$13,640	B+
26	University of Chicago IL · Private	98	$87,869	$14,860	$18,500	B+
27	Rice University TX · Private	98	$87,804	$13,370	N/A	-
28	Boston College MA · Private	92	$86,537	$41,704	$18,000	B
29	Wake Forest University NC · Private	88	$85,668	$28,719	$23,133	C+
30	Brown University RI · Private	96	$85,388	$25,184	$14,481	B+
31	Fairfield University CT · Private	79	$83,709	$48,095	$27,000	D
32	Brigham Young University UT · Private	94	$83,209	$15,564	$11,745	B+
33	Colgate University NY · Private	92	$83,188	$28,786	$16,250	B+
34	Villanova University PA · Private	89	$83,179	$43,756	$25,620	C
35	University of Maryland Global Campus MD · Public	63	$82,263	$22,063	$17,600	B+
36	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$81,843	$16,665	$17,665	C+
37	Loyola University Maryland MD · Private	83	$81,575	$30,574	$27,000	C
38	American Public University System WV · Private	50	$81,056	$9,597	$18,304	B+
39	New York University NY · Private	84	$80,957	$37,050	$20,500	B
40	Saint Anselm College NH · Private	74	$80,763	$34,779	$27,000	C
41	Bates College ME · Private	82	$80,714	$29,351	$11,532	B+
42	Hobart William Smith Colleges NY · Private	70	$79,778	$31,563	$27,000	D
43	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$79,692	$36,586	$23,000	B
44	Georgetown University DC · Private	93	$79,502	$40,815	$16,500	B+
45	DePauw University IN · Private	78	$79,117	$22,264	$27,000	C
46	Bryant University RI · Private	84	$78,579	$41,219	$23,250	C
47	University of Virginia-Main Campus VA · Public	95	$78,310	$21,565	$18,015	B
48	Tufts University MA · Private	86	$78,180	$39,998	$17,725	B+
49	Barnard College NY · Private	90	$77,805	$28,800	$19,000	B+
50	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public	95	$77,480	$13,138	$18,862	C+

Below Average Value

Is International Relations Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for International Relations are below average. At $39,341 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

With 591 schools offering this major, you have significant choice. That's good news - it means you can shop for the best ROI within the field rather than settling for whatever program accepts you.

The top school for this major by earnings is Johns Hopkins University, where graduates earn $121,729 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for International Relations All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

International Relations

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for International Relations by Earnings

Is International Relations Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

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