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International Relations at Goucher College

Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,868/yr (-35% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 1.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #105 of 106 International Relations programs

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	$388K	$399K	$392K
Earnings Multiple	1.9x	1.9x	1.9x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	48%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	22	23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$205,000

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$95,096

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,376

11.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,868 place Goucher College below the $39,530 national median for International Relations — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 1.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in International Relations's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,376 represents roughly 11 months of the $25,868 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #105 of 106 International Relations programs, Goucher College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Goucher College

Goucher College accepts 73% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 948 students in Baltimore, MD. The average net cost of $95,096 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Goucher College →

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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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Relations at Goucher College?

A score of 22/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Relations. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace International Relations careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $392,334 in decade earnings vs $387,877 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with International Relations from Goucher College?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Is Goucher College a hidden gem for International Relations?

After financial aid, the average student pays $95,096 over four years — 54% below the $205,000 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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