International Relations Major Guide: Overview and RoEDU™ Opportunities 2025

The International Relations major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.

Within International, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.

Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.

As part of International, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.

Salary Outlook

Entry-level salary
$115,155

Typical starting pay soon after graduation.

Mid-career salary (10y)
$182,069

Estimated after a decade of experience.

Experienced salary (20y)
$244,686

Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.

Weighted median over last 5 years
CAGR 8.0%

CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.

Estimated lifetime earnings

40 years, present value
$4,606,200

Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections

OccupationMedian WageTotal JobsGrowth RateEducation
Managers, All Other
SOC: 11-9199
Occupation: Managers, All Other
$136,550
630,980
N/A
N/A
Political Scientists
SOC: 19-3094
Occupation: Political Scientists
$139,380
5,950
N/A
N/A
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1065
Occupation: Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$94,680
17,170
N/A
N/A

Historical Career Trends (2020-2024)

Historical data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2024) • Salary trends and employment growth over 5 years

Managers, All Other

9.5%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$136,550630,980
2023$133,560589,750
2022$128,620543,290
2021$124,650497,890

Political Scientists

11.2%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$139,3805,950
2023$132,3505,580
2022$128,0205,660
2021$122,5105,650
2020$125,3506,010

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

10.4%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$94,68017,170
2023$93,81017,090
2022$83,77015,190
2021$81,98014,060
2020$85,76015,130

Colleges offering International Relations

University of Florida

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$12k

Earnings

$63k

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$42k

Earnings

$80k

University of San Francisco

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$45k

Earnings

$75k

Georgetown University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$38k

Earnings

$89k

Fairfield University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$48k

Earnings

$77k