Program Analysis
Graduates earn $48,142/yr, edging above the $39,530 national average for International Relations — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
With a 17.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some International Relations career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $14,947 in median debt against $48,142 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
American Public University System ranks #3 among 106 International Relations programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 33% earnings increase from $48,142 to $64,125 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.