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International Relations at Hobart William Smith Colleges

Geneva, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · International Relations and National Security Studies

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,648/yr (3% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 1.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #78 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	$478K	$480K	$454K
Earnings Multiple	1.9x	1.9x	1.8x
Probability of Field Employment	53%	48%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	36	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$253,072

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$124,228

51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

7.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $40,648/yr, International Relations graduates from Hobart William Smith Colleges land near the $39,530 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $40,648 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #78 of 106 International Relations programs, Hobart William Smith Colleges falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Hobart William Smith Colleges

Hobart William Smith Colleges accepts 57% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,606 in Geneva, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $124,228 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Hobart William Smith Colleges →

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

Other Majors at Hobart William Smith Colleges

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 Hobart William Smith Colleges?

A score of 36/100 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 $454,423 in decade earnings vs $478,439 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Hobart William Smith Colleges a hidden gem for International Relations?

After financial aid, the average student pays $124,228 over four years — 51% below the $253,072 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 →