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International Relations at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $44,644/yr (13% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (108,800 openings/yr)

ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #16 of 106 International Relations programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to International Relations graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$598K	$587K	$536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.8x	10.6x	9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.7x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	48%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$55,260

Out-of-state: $157,588 (3.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,148

-32% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,117

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,843

43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $44,644 at George Mason University come in 13% above the national median of $39,530 for International Relations programs.

The 10.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $44,644 far exceeding the $20,117 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #16 out of 106 programs, George Mason University's International Relations program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,644 to $63,843 shows 43% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About George Mason University

George Mason University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 27,083 students in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason University →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Political science teachers, postsecondary $94,680/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

International Relations at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does George Mason University's International Relations program score?

This program scores 54/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for International Relations graduates.

How vulnerable is International Relations to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' International Relations careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does George Mason University rank so high for International Relations?

The #16 ranking out of 106 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →