Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $28,202/yr fall 29% below the $39,530 national median for International Relations. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
At 7.9x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $18,535 debt-to-$28,202 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #98 out of 106 programs, Grand Valley State University's financial outcomes for International Relations trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $28,202 to $39,625 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.